No 56R PRICE 23 CENTS 



GV 837 
.D2 
1914 
Copy 1 



I 



ted Cover Series'* of Athletic Handbooks 





A. G. Spalding & Bros; 

^i;N, MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HOUSES ' / -% 

'"■''■ % FOR DISTRIBUTING THE .%. ,^ 

Spalding \ 

^^ COMPLETE LINE OF - , *, ^■\ 

S Athletic Good^ \ 

, .. ... '^ . IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES ''*..* '*»• .•.U''' 



iS^s^ss^a^asEPMi^g^^sess!^ 




NEW YORK 



BALTIMORE, MD. 

110 E. Baltimore St. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

613 14tb Street. N.W. 
ATLANTA, GA. 

74 N. Broad Street 



LONDON, ENGLAND 



264 Woodward Ave. 



741 Euclid Avenue 



KANSAS CITV. MO. 

1120 Grand Avenue 
NEW ORLEANS, LA. 
140 Carondelet Street 



LIVERPOOL 

72, Lord Street 
BIRMINGHAM, ENG. 

e9. New Street 
lESTER. ENG. 
4, Oxford St. and 
I, Lower Hosier St. 



SAN FRANCISCO 

1SS-1S8 Gearjr Street 
SEATTLE, WASH. 

711 Secoi 
LOS ANGELES, CAL. 



PORTLAND, ORE. 

345 Washlnston Street 
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 

27 East 2nd South St 



DENVER, COL. 

leie Arapahoe Street 



44 Seventh St., South 



MONTREAL, P. Q. 

443 St. James Street 
TORONTO, ONT. 

207 Yonce Strict 



PARIS, FRANCE 

3S BaakYaH 
EDINBURGH, SCOT. 

3 South Charlotte St 

I Cor. PriacM St.) 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND 
68 Buchanan Street 



/4 



i 




IHESPftLDING 



ICoNSTiTUTE THE Solid Foundation or the Spalding Business 



America'sNational Game 

By A. G. SPALDING 

Price, $2.00 Net 

A book of 600 pages, profusely illustrated with over 100 
full page engravings, and having sixteen forceful cartoons 
by Homer C. Davenport, the famous American artist 



The above work should have a place in every 
public library in this country, as also in the 
libraries of public schools and private houses. 
_ The author of "America's National Game" 
is conceded, always, everywhere, and by every- 
body, to have the best equipment of any living 
writer to treat the subject that forms the text 
of this remarkable volume, viz., the story of 
the origin, development and evolution of Base 
Ball, the National Game of our country. 

Almost from the very inception of the game 
until the present time— as player, manager and 
magnate— Mr. Spalding has been closely iden- 
tified with its interests. Not infrequently he 
has been called upon in times of emergency 
to prevent threatened disaster. But for him 
the National Game would have been syn- 
dicated and controlled by elements whose 
interests were purely selfish and personal. 
The book is a veritable repository of in- 
formation concerning players, clubs and 
personalities connected with the game in 
its early days, and is written in a most 
interesting style, interspersed with enlivening anecdotes and 
accounts of events that have not heretofore b-en published 
Tv/r c ^^^P°"f^ o" the part of the press and the public to 
Mr Spalding s efforts to perpetuate the early history of the 
National Game has been very encouraging and he is in receipt 
of hundreds of letters and notices, a few of which are here given. 

Robert Adamson,^ New York, writing from the office of Mavor 
I aT^nteTsS fn'""f.-^^^ Giants play fs my prindparr?creation Ynd 
fcf • ^"t^^es^ed in reading everything I can find about the eame I 

sta^nd a ^heT^he^'.h- '^^^ [Mr. . Spalding] have written, SecS you 
stand as the highest living authority on the game." 

Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the Pittsburg National League dub-l^"Tt 

ve°ry mu"ch:"'° '"''°' '' "^" '' *^^ ^^"^^ ^ have'^njoyed reading if 

uYJ'JZ^/ ^''^''' 7^l\ ^"""^r ^°°t ball expert and athlete, savs— "It 
dea'rl.Tlnfer'e'sL'''''''^' "^""^ '"' ^"^ ^^^^ ' ^^^ "^^ witra'greaj 




W. Trvinc Snvoer formertv of the house of Peck & Snyder:— •*! 
have read the book from cover to cover with great interest.' 

Andrew Peck, formerly of the celebrated firm of Peck & Snyder\w- 
"All base ball fans should read and see how the game was conducted in 
early years." 

Melville E. Stone, New York, General Manager Associated Press: — 
"I find it full of valuable information and very interesting. I prize 
it very highly." 

George Barnard, Chicago: — "Words fail to express my appreciation 
of the book. It carries me back to the^ early days of base ball and 
makes me feel like a young man again." 

Charles W. Murphy, President Chicago National League club: — 
"The book is a very valuable work and will become a part of every 
base ball library in the country." 

John F. Morrill, Boston, Mass., old time base ball star. — "I did 
not think it possible for one to become so interested in a book on base 
ball. I do not find anything in it which I can criticise." 

Ralph D. Paine, popular magazine writer and a leading authority on 
college spoit: — "I have been reading the book with a great deal of 
interest. 'It fills a long felt want,' and you are a national benefactor 
for writing it." 

Gen. Fred Funston, hero of the Philippine war: — "I read the book 
with a great deal of pleasure and was much interested in seeing the 
account of base ball among the Asiatic whalers, which I had written 
for Harper's Round Table so many years ago." 

DeWolf Hopper, celebrated operatic artist and comedian: — "Apart 
from the splendid history of the evolution of the game, it perpetuates 
the memories oi the many men who so gloriously sustained it. It should 
be read by every lover of the sport." 

Hugh Nicol, Director of Athletics, Purdue University, Lafayette, 
Ina.: — "No one that has read this book has appreciated it more than I. 
Ever since I have been big enough, I have been in professional base 
ball, and you can imagine how interesting the book is to me." 

Mrs. Britton, owner of the St. Louis Nationals, through her treas- 
urer, H. D. Seekamp, writes: — "Mrs. Britton has been very much 
interested in, the volume and has read with pleasure a number of 
chapters, gaining valuable information as to the history of the game." 

Rev. Charles H. Parkhurst, D.D., New York: — "Although I am not 
very much of a 'sport,' I nevertheless believe in sports, and just at 
the present time in base ball particularly. Perhaps if all the Giants 
had an opportunity to read the volume before the recent game (with 
the Athletics) they might not have been so grievously outdone." 
^ Bruce Cartwright. son of Alexander J. Cartwright, founder of the 
Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, the first organization of ball players in 
existence, writing from his home at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, says: 
— "I have read the book with great interest and it is my opinion that 
no better history of base ball could have been written." 

George W. Frost, San Diego, Calif.:— "You and 'Tim' White, George 
Wright, Barnes, McVey, O'Rourke, etc., were little gods to us back 
there in Boston in those days of '74 and '75, and I recall how indig- 
nant we were when you 'threw us down' for the Chicago contract. 
The book is splendid. I treasure it greatly." 

_ A. J. Reach, Philadelphia, old time professional expert: — "It certainly 
IS an interesting revelation of the national game from the time, vears 
before it was so dignified, up to the present. Those who have played 
the game, or taken an interest in it in the past, those at present en- 
gaged jn It, together with all who are to engage in it, have a rare 
treat in store." 

Dr Luther H. Gulick, Russell Sage Foundation:— "Mr. Spalding 
has been the largest factor in guiding the development of the game 
and thus deserves to rank with other great men of the countrv who 
have contributed to its success. It would have added to the ifiterest 
of the book if Mr. Spalding could have given us more of his own 
personal experiences, hopes and ambitions in connection with the game." 



SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Giving the Titles of all Spalding Athletic Library Books now 
v ^ — o in print, grouped for ready reference c~ 



D 



^^ SPALDING OFFICIAL ANNUALS 

( Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide 

lA Spalding's Official Base Ball Record 

IC Spalding's Official College Base Ball Annual 

2 Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide 

Spalding's Official Soccer Foot Ball Guide 



2A Sp 



4 

6 

7 

7A 

8 

9 



Spalding's Official Lawn Tennis Annui 
Spalding's Official Ice Hockey Guide 
Spalding's Official Basket Ball Guide 
Spalding's Official Women's Basket Ball Guide 
Spalding's Official Lacrosse Guide 
Spalding's Officia. Indoor Base Ball Guide 



f2A Spalding's Official Athletic Rules 



Group I. 

No. 1 

No. 1/ 
No. Ic 

No. 202 
No. 223 
No. 232 
No. 230 
No. 229 
No. 225 
No. 226 
No. 227 
No. 228 
No. 224 



No. 
231 



No. 219 
No. 350 



Base Ball 

Spalding's Official Base Ball 

Guide. 
Official Base Ball Record. 
College Base Ball Annual. 
How to Play Base Ball. 
How to Bat. 
How to Run Bases. 
How to Pitch. 
How to Catch. 
How to Play First Base. 
How to Play Second Base. 
How to Play Third Base. 
How to Play Shortstop. 
How to Play the Outfield. 
How to Organize a Base Ball 

League. [Club. 

How to Organize a Base Ball 
How to Manage a Base Ball 

Club. 
How to Train a Base Ball Team 
How to Captain a Base Ball 
HowtoUmpire aOame. [Team 
Technical Base Ball Terms. 
Ready Reckoner of Base Ball 

Percentages. 
How to Score. 



BASE BALL AUXILIARIES 
No. 355 Minor League Base Ball Guide 
No. 356 Official Book National League 

of Prof. Base Ball Clubs. 
No. 340 Official Handbook National 

Playground Ball Ass'n. 



Group II. Foot Ball 

No. 2 Spalding's Official Foot Ball 

Guide. 
No. 324 How to Play Foot Ball. 
No. 2a Spalding's Official Soccer F'oot 

Ball Guide. 
No. 335 How to Play Rugby. 

FOOT BALL AUXILIARIES 
No. 351 Official Rugby Foot Ball 

Guide. 
No. 358 Official College Soccer Foot 

Ball Guide. 



Group IV. 



Lawn Tennis 



No. 4 Spalding's Official Lawn Ten- 
nis Annual. 
No. 157 How to Play Lawn Tennis. 

Group VI. Hockey 

No. 6 Spalding's Official Ice Hockey 

Guide. 
No. 304 How to Play Ice Hockey. (By 

Farrell). 
No. 180 Ring Hockey. 



Group VII. 



Basket Ball 



No. 



7 Spalding' sOfficial Basket Ball 
Guide. 
No. 7a Spalding's Official Women's 

Basket Ball Guide. 
No. 193 How to Play Basket Ball. 



(Continued on the next page.) 



ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS MAILED POSTPAID UPON RECEIPT OF 10 CENTS 

F^r additional books on athletic subjects see list of Spalding's "Red Cover" 
Series on second page following. 



SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



BASKET BALL AUXILIARY 
No. 353 Official Collegiate Basket Ball 
Handbook. 

Group VIII. Lacrosse 

No. 8 Spalding's Official Lacrosse 

Guide. 
No. 201 How to Play Lacrosse. 



Group IX. 



Indoor Base Ball 



No. 9 Spalding's Official Indoor Base 
Ball Guide. 



Group X. 

No. 129 Water Polo. 
No. 199 Equestrian Polo. 



Polo 



Group XI. Miscellaneous Games 

No. 248 Archery. 

No. 138 Croquet. 

No. 271 Roque. 

XT„ iQ^ i Racquets. Squash-Racquets. 

No. 194 I f.^^^^ Tennis. 

No. 13 Hand Ball. 

No. 167 Quoits. 

No. 14 Curling. 

No. 170 Push Ball. 

No. 207 Lawn Bowls. 

•Mrv 1SQ i Lawn Hockey. Parlor ^^ockey 

INO. is» ^ Garden Hockey. Lawn Games 

No. 341 How to Bowl. 



Group XII. Athletics 

No. 12 A Spalding's Official Athletic 
Rules. 

No. 27 College Athletics. 

No. 182 All Around Athletics. 

No. 156 Athletes' Guide. 

No. 87 Athletic Primer. 

No. 259 How to Become a Weight 
Thrower. 

No. 255 How to Run 100 Yards. 

No. 174 Distance and Cross Country 
Running. 

No. 55 Official Sporting Rules. 

No. 246 Athletic Training for School- 
boys. 

No. 317 Marathon Running. 

No. 331 Schoolyard Athletics. 

No. 252 How to Sprint. 

No. 342 Walking for Health and Com 
petition. 



ATHLETIC AUXILIARIES 

No, 357 Intercollegiate Official Hand- 
book. 

No. 302 Y. M. C. A. Official Handbook. 

No. 313 Public Schools Athletic 
League Official Handbook. 

No. 314 Girls' Athletics. 

Grc'up XIII. Athletic Accomplishments 

No. 23 Canoeing. 

No. 128 How to Row. 

No. 209 How to Become a Skater. 

No. 178 How to Train for Bicycling. 

No. 282 Roller Skating Guide. 



Group 

No. 165 
No. 236 
No. 102 
No. 143 
No. 262 
No. 29 
No. 191 
No. 289 



XIV. 



Manly Sports 

(By Senac.) 



Fencing. 

How to Wrestle. 

Ground Tumbling. 

Indian Clubs and Dumb Bells 

Medicine Ball Exercises. 

Pulley Weight Exercises. 

How to Punch the Bag. 

Tumbling for Amateurs. 



Group XV. Gymnastics 

No. 254 Barnjum Ear Bell Drill. 

No. 214 Graded Calisthenics and 
Dumb Bell Drills. 

No. 124 How to Become a Gymnast. 

No. 287 Fancy Dumb Bell and March- 
ing Drills. 

No 327 Pyramid Building Without 
Apparatus. 

No. 329 Pyramid Building with 
Wands, Chairs and Ladders. 

GYMNASTIC AUXILIARY 
No. 345 Official Handbook I. C. A. A. 
Gymnasts of America. 



Group 

No. 161 

No. 149 
No. 285 

No. 208 

No. 185 
No. 234 

No. 238 

No. 288 

No. 213 
No. 315 



XVI. 



Physical Culture 



Ten Minutes' Exercise for 
Busy Men. 

Care of the Body. 

Health by Muscular Gym- 
nastics. 

Physical Education and Hy- 
giene. 

Hints on Health. 

School Tactics and Maze Run- 
ning. 

Muscle Building. 

Indigestion Treated by Gym- 
nastics. 

285 Health Answers. 

Twenty-Minute Exercises. 



ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS MAILED POSTPAID UPON RECEIPT OF 10 CENTS 

For additional books on athletic subjects see list of Spalding's "Red Cover" 
Scries on next page. 



SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



« 



Red Cover" Series 



No. IR. Spalding's Official Athletic Almanac* Price 25c. 

No. 2R. Strokes and Science of Lawn Tennis Price 25c. 

No. 3R. Spalding's Official Golf Guide.' Price 25c. 

No. 4R. How to Play Golf Price 25c. 

No. 5R. Spalding's Official Cricket Guide.' Price 25c. 

No. 6R. Cricket and How to Play It Price 25c- 

No. 7R. Physical Training Simplified Price 25c. 

No. 8R. The Art of Skating Price 23c. 

No. 9R. How to Live 100 Years Price 25c. 

No. lOR. Single Stick Drill Price 25c. 

No. IIR. Fencing Foil Work Illustrated Price 25c. 

No. 12R. Exercises on the Side Horse Price 25c. 

No. 13R. Horizontal Bar Exercises Price 25c. 

No. 14R. Trapeze. Long Horse and Rope Exercises Price 25c. 

No. 15R. Exercises on the Flying Rings Price 25c. 

No. 16R. Team Wand Drill Price 25c. 

No. 17R. Olympic Games, Stockholm. 1912 Price 25c. 

No. 18R. Wrestling Price 25c. 

No. 19R. Professional Wrestlinc" Price 25c. 

No. 20R. How to Play Ice Hockey Price 25c. 

No. 21R. Jiu Jitsu Price 25c. 

No. 22R. How to Swing Indian Clubs Price 25c. 

No. 23R. Get Well ; Keep Well Price 25c. 

No. 24R. Dumb Bell Exercises Price 25c. 

No. 25R. Boxing o Price 25c. 

No. 26R. Official Handbook National Squash Tennis Association Price 25c, 

No. 27R. Calisthenic Drills and FancyMarching for the Class Room Price 25c. 

No. 28R. Winter Sports Price 25c. 

No. 29R. Children's Games Price 25c. 

No. 30R. Fencing. (By Breck.) Price 25c. 

No. SIR. Spalding's International Polo Guide Price 25c. 

No. 32R. Physical Training for the School and Class Room. . . Price 25c. 

No. 33R. Tensing Exercises Price 25c. 

No. 34R. Grading of Gymnastic Exercises Price 25c. 

No. 35R. Exercises on the Parallel Bars Price 25c. 

No. 36R. Speed Swimming Price 25c. 

No. 37R. How to Swim Price 25c. 

No. 38R. Field Hockey Price 25c. 

No. 39R. How to Play Soccer. . , Price 25c. 

No. 40R. Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games Price 25c. 

No. 41R. Newcomb Price 25c. 

No. 42R. Lawn Tennis in Australia Price 25c. 

•'Published annually. 




A RACING START-CHAMPION C. M. DANIELS, 




TziUn 

Spalding " Red Cover" Series of ^ — i r-i r— -• 



Athletic Handbooks No. 36R 






SPEED 
SWIMMING 



BY 

C. M. DANIELS 

ASSISTED BY 

L. deB. Handley and O. Wahle 



PUBLISHED BY 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING C] 

COMPANY rd r: 



' — "^^ 21 Warren Street, New York 






.<^ 






X<^ 



Copyright, 1914 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
New York 



MAY -8 1914 

'CI.A371744 



CONTENTS 



Preface 
Introduction 
Learning to Svvtm . 

Preparatory Land Exercises 

Hints to the Beginner . 

The Breast Stroke 

The Side Stroke . 

The Trudgeon 

The Crawl 

Swimming on the Back 
Competitive Swimming- 
How to Choose One's Distance 

How to Train for a Race 

Hints About Racing 
Floating and Diving 

Plunge for Distance 

Diving 

Front Dive 

Back Dive 
Ornamental Swimming- 

The Rolhng Log 

Swimming Like a Do 

Somersaults 

Sculling . 

Swimming Backward 

The Torpedo 

The Ship . 

The Top . 

Monte Cristo 
What to Wear 




OTTO WAHLE, 

Nev' York A.C.; Member of A.A.U. Record Committee ana World* 

Swimming Autbority, 



PREFACE 



In undertaking the task of giving to the public a short 
treatise on swimming I recognized the wisdom of obtainmg 
the collaboration of someone well versed in theoretical as 
well as practical swimming. In looking about me I soon re- 
alized that I could do no better than in applying to either 
Mr. L. de B. Handley, or Mr. Otto Wahle, Both had had a 
brilliant competitive career ; both had followed closely the 
development of swimming at home and abroad, and though 
only amateurs, had coached with as much success as any 
professionals in the country. I was fortunate in finding them 
only too glad to assist me, and with their aid I put together 
this book, trying to condense into a few pages all that could 
be useful to the swimmer, aiming at clearness and brevity, 
and omitting all unnecessary stuff. 

Most of the illustrations are from photographs posed for 
by representative exponents of the strokes, but owing to the 
difficulty experienced in getting proper effects with the camera, 
through water, I deemed it advisable to pose them on terra 
firma. As a consequence, in several cases the body is so strained 
as to give a slightly erroneous impression, but the positions of 
the arms and legs are accurate both individually and in respect 
to each other, and the only fault lies in the fact that the legs 
are at times too far below the surface. The line drawn across illus- 
trations indicates approximate water-line. In taking these posi- 
tions in the water, however, the body will, of itself, correct the 
fault, and unconsciously the right balance will be established. 

C. M. Daniels. 




TEACHING THE NOVICE. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIfiRAIlY. 



INTRODUCTION 

Whole volumes have been devoted to telling why every man 
and woman should know how to swim, but the reasons may be 
concisely condensed into three : Swimming is a pleasant pas- 
time ; it is an exercise which develops the body symmetrically 
and thoroughly ; and it is often the means of protecting and 
saving life. 

As a pastime it has few equals. The pleasures of bathing, 
whether outdoors in summer, or in a natatorium in winter, can 
only be fully appreciated by the good swimmers. The average 
man tires after a few spasmodic strokes and cannot possibly 
experience that exhilarating feeling that comes to the expert as 
he glides swiftly and easily through the "treacherous element" 
with absolute confidence in himself. 

Of the hygienic value of swimming, little need be said. Its 
very cleanliness insures hygiene ; for cleanliness is the founda- 
tion of good health, just as uncleanliness is the primary cause 
of disease. But on the subject of swimming as physical culture 
many erroneous beliefs are held which need correcting. To 
begin with, there are few exercises that will develop the body 
as symmetrically as will swimming; and by symmetrically I 
mean proportionately and from head to foot, with no muscle 
developed at the expense of another. One often hears the re- 
mark made that a swimmer has no muscles at all. It is true, 
in a way. He shows none of the bulging, knotty muscles of the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 9 

professional poser. But those dean, smooth arms and legs of 
his are blessed with the only muscles that will benefit an ath- 
lete, the long, pliant, "vvorkmg" muscles, that never tire and 
that don't know what it is to cramp or to bind. 

I have become so convinced of the value of swimming as an 
all round developer that I do not hesitate to advocate it as pre- 
liminary work for running, jumping, rowing, tennis, or any 
other branch of athletics, even to wrestling and weight lifting. 
There is no doubt that it improves the wind, and it has the 
great advantage of strengthening the muscles without hardening 
them. One emerges from a two or three weeks' period of train- 
ing in the pink of condition, yet feeling supple and free in every 
part of the body. And the very softness of one's muscles per- 
mits of the taking up of any other kind of exercise without 
fear of the soreness that comes from using another set of 
muscles than the one which has been hardened by exercising. 

An athlete of my acquaintance established, a few years ago, a 
world's record for that all round test called the Medley Race, 
in which six consecutive quarter miles have to be negotiated — 
walking, running, bicycling, horseback riding, rowing and swim- 
ming. I asked him one day how he ever managed to train for 
all these different events at the same time. "I didn't," he told 
me ; "I tried it when this competition was first instituted and 
although my time in the race was indififerent, I finished quite 
exhausted. In my second attempt at the record, I decided to 
give a trial to a system advocated by Alex Mefifert, and the only 
training I did, was to swim two quarter miles every afternoon 
at an interval of fifteen minutes. It proved most successful. I 
felt strong up to the finish, I experienced no soreness then or 
after, and although I clipped fully two minutes off my previous 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. U 

performance I crossed the line in splendid condition. I believe 
swimming had made my muscles so supple that there was noth- 
ing to tire or to bind, and my wind and endurance just carrried 
me through." 

Those coaches and trainers who forbid their men going into 
the water during training, are either crassly ignorant or know 
their wards too well to trust them. The average athlete be- 
haves a good deal like a boy in school and tries to take a yard 
every time he is conceded an inch. If you allow him to take a 
swim during the summer he will interpret the permission into 
meaning that he may lie around the water by the hour; or, if it 
is winter, that he may spend half the day between the hot room 
and the pool. Of course the next day he is unfit for work and 
complains of a tired feeling. Then the coach says : "Ah ! that 
swim," and anyone who says "swim" to him thereafter stirs up 
a row. I know, and no one can convince me to the contrary, 
that a daily swim of three or four minutes (as much as is 
needed to cover two or three hundred yards at a brisk pace) 
far from being injurious to an athlete will increase his snap and 
dash. 

Coming next to the question of its usefulness, it is undoubted 
that every man owes it to himself to be able to swim. We 
live so much on, in, and near the water that there are daily 
possibilities of being called upon to use our knowledge of swim- 
ming. Is not the fact that by it we may save ourselves, or oth- 
ers, from a ghastly death by drowning, a sufficient • incentive to 
have us incur a little trouble in learning? What tragedies could 
be averted were everyone to give the subject a little thought. 

There seems to be a prevalent belief among parents that chil- 
dren should not be taught to swim until they are over ten years 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 13 

old and that to teach them younger is injuricus to their heaUh. 
Where the idea cotdd have emanated, it is hard to understand, 
but it is rank nonsense. I have seen in England youngsters 
under seven who could use the complicated speed strokes just 
as prettily as grown-up experts, and their ruddy cheeks and 
sturdy young frames were tangible enough proofs of their not 
having suffered from their early training. It is the duty of 
every father and mother to see that "heir chddren are taught 
at the most tender age. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. I5 



LEARNING TO SWIM 



Before beginning the instructive text of this book I want to 
say a word in regard to a question that swimming teachers and 
coaches are often asked. It is : "Why are not all swimmers 
taught the same stroke in the same way?'' The query is nat- 
ural, for one seldom sees two men swim alike, even when they 
are using the same stroke. Nevertheless those men have un- 
doubtedly been taught in identically the same way ; only, in each 
case the individuality of the pupil has asserted itself, and so, 
while both men are going through the movements as taught 
them, they are doing so in the manner best suited to their per- 
sonality. If you want to realize what I mean, ask a few men 
to lift their arms above their head as in the first position of the 
trudgeon stroke and see if they don't all hold them up in a 
different way. Each is assuming his natural position and he 
v/ill assume it when learning the stroke in the water. Now, 
how can you expect these men to swim alike when they don't 
even hold their limbs in the same way? To the man with ab- 
normal development of the shoulders an extreme reach is neith- 
er possible nor advisable; it would be a decided strain to him 
and he will tire much sooner than if a shorter one is used. To 
the supple, slight man, instead, there will be no difficulty in 
reaching cut and he will benefit by the added length of his 
stroke. The same may be said of every other part of the stroke. 
And has the reader ever considered how an imperceptible change 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY, 1,^ 

of time will affect the entire stroke? Of course it is not possi- 
ble to get arms and legs to start automatically at the exact frac- 
tion oi' a second, nor is it likely that the same time would suit 
everyone; inclination is a factor not to be disregarded. 

The lesson to be learned from this is that the best results are 
obtained by adapting the various movements to one's build ; not 
by changing them, but by usmg them in such a manner as to 
place no unnatural strain on any part of the body. 



PREPARATORY LAND EXERCISES. 

Paradoxical though it may seem, the movements necessary in 
swimming are best acquired out of water and I strongly ad- 
vise the begmner to go through a period of land exercise before 
attempting to learn. Especially in the case of women and chil- 
dren I have found the system excellent. The fact is, people 
often have a morbid dread of the water (born probably of un- 
familiarity with iO and get so nervous in it that they are quite 
unable to keep their mind properly on what they are doing, 
while you teach them. On land, the action of both arms and 
legs, the correct way of breathing, and the respective time of all 
three can be practiced at ease until they become so familiar as 
to be gone through instinctively when one enters the water. 

The different parts of the stroke should first be taken up 
separately, beginning with the legs, then the arms and breathing, 
and finally all together. 

To master the leg movement, stand with heels together and 
hands on the hips. Lift right leg off the ground, pointing the 
knee outward until the heel almost touches the left knee, then 
straighten it out so that the ankles are about two feet apart and 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 19 

bring it briskly down to starting position. Do the same with 
the left leg and proceed, alternating them. 

To learn the arm stroke, begin by placing the hands at the 
height of the chest, about a foot below the chin, palms down, 
fingers close and pointing before you. Push the hands out par- 
allel to the ground until they are at full length. Turn palms 
outward (thumb down) and bring arms back, stiff at the elbow^ 
and still parallel to the ground, until they are at right angles to 
the body. In other words, let them describe a quarter of a circle. 
Then bend the elbow backwards and gradually turning the palms 
down again, return to original position. Repeat until familiar 
with. 

In breathing, you should inhale through the mouth and exhale 
through the nostrils. Inhale while the arms are coming back 
and exhale wdiile they go forward. A suggestion made by the 
Hon. Sydney Holland I have found to work wonders. He tells 
novices to blow their hands away from them. The breathing in 
swimming should be easy, not short and hard. Begin to inhale 
as soon as the hands start down and manage so that you will 
just have filled your lungs by the time they reach the chest. 
Begin to exhale as they start forward and continue until they 
are on the full reach. 

Now take the stroke all together. Start with the arms stretched 
out before you and as you bring them back, take a deep, slow 
breath. When the hands are about to reach the chest, bring up 
the right leg; as the hands go forward straighten the leg out 
and when they are about to become extended, snap it down 
alongside of the other. On the next stroke let the left leg do its 
work, and continue, alternating them. 

Before entering the water it is advisable to learn to use both 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 21 

legs at the same time in comiection with the rest of the stroke. 
You can do this by lying face down on a stool or chair. The 
position is not a very comfortable one, but you only need do a 
few minutes at a time of it and the work will certaintly benefit 
you a lot. 

In some books I have seen land drills for the trudgeon and 
crawl advocated as instructive. Personally, while I believe them 
an excellent exercise for developing the body, I do not think 
they teach anything. The strokes are far too complicated. It is 
an entirely different matter from the simple breast stroke move- 
ments, and it will be found much more satisfactory not to lose 
any time at them. 



HINTS TO THE BEGINNER. 

In undertaking the actual task of swimming, salt water is pre- 
ferable to fresh, because it has more sustaining power. Whether 
you have indulged in land exercises or not you will find it hard 
to support yourself, at first, and if you can find water about four 
or five feet deep, where you can touch bottom at will, if you get 
nervous, I should advise your doing so. 

Most instructors are in favor of cork belts, white wings, in- 
flated bags, and other floating devices for beginners ; but I think 
them a mistake. Swimming is entirely a question of balance, as 
the body floats naturally, and all artificial buoying-up destroys 
the right idea of how to hold one's self. I realize that one learns 
more readily when no effort has to be made to keep above water, 
but there is a way of giving support without affecting the bal- 
ance. Place a canvas belt or a strip of cloth around your chest, 
tie a thin piece of rope to it and attach the end of this rope to a 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 28 

short stick, as on Page 6. The instructor or a friend can hold the 
stick while you practice, placing on it only sufficient pressure to 
keep 3'ou afloat. How little this is you will understand by watch- 
ing a performer in the plunge for distance; without moving a 
muscle he keeps on the surface indefinitely. The belt system has 
the advantage of allowing the holder to gradually diminish the 
sustaining pressure until, without being conscious of it, one 
swims without support. 

If you cannot find help it may be best, in case of nervous- 
ness, to provide j^ourself with white wings or an inflated bag; 
then let out the air a little at a time, until you become used to 
swimming without props at all. 

The position of the body is an all-important matter in swim, 
ming, for it is position that insures the proper balance. One 
often sees the beginner floundering along with head thrown back 
to such an angle that it looks about to fall off, and this, besides 
placing a terrible strain on the neck, brings the feet far too low 
in the water, retarding progress. The position is generally due 
to faulty breathing, for in breathing properly there is no need 
to crane the neck to get air. Just watch a good swimmer of 
the breast stroke and notice his easy position, half the time 
mouth is under water as on Page lo. That is the correct way to 
carry the head. While the arms are coming back, their applied 
power lifts the body and brings the mouth well above water; 
then is the time to inhale ; later, as the hands go forward, the 
mouth sinks below the surface and one exhales under water, 
preferably through the nostrils. Pay great attention to the 
breathing, it is the secret of easy swimming. 

In learning to swim never hurry the movements, haste is the 
negation of form and you can only acquire the correct stroke by 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. ii8 

making every move a slow, careful one. thinking all the time 
of what you are doing. 

If you have taken no preparatory land exercise before tackling 
the stroke, or if you find that the movements don't come to you 
at once in the water, you had better try the various parts sep- 
arately, as advocated previously, until you have mastered them 
thoroughly, 

THE BREAST STROKE. 

Racing men as a rule are wont to look upon the breast stroke 
as useless and obsolete as proved by the fact that efforts have 
been made to have it stricken from the list of championship 
events. 

The men guilt\' of this senseless move can not have given the 
subject very careful consideration. On a long swim, whether 
forced on one by chance or taken for pleasure, nothing is more 
restful than a short change from the speed strokes to the breast. 
And as to its usefulness, it is the only stroke, barring the back 
stroke, that will allow one to make shore with a victim in case 
of a rescue from drowning. 

To learn the breast stroke, lie comfortably on the surface so 
that your feet are only a few inches below it and your mouth is 
just under water. Place legs together and straight, toes pointing 
back, arms extended in front, hands touching, fingers closed, and 
palms down. In starting to swim, turn the palms outward, 
thumbs down, and, keeping the elbow stiff, draw the arms back 
just below the surface and parallel to it until at right angles to 
the body; then bend the elbow backward and gradually turning 
the palms down, bring the hands together at the chest ; then 
shoot them forward to starting position. The legs are not moved 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 27 

until the hands approach the chest, then they arc drawn up, 
knees out, heels together; when the hands start forward the 
legs are kicked out straight without closing them, and as the 
arms get to the full reach the legs are snapped sharply together. 
In this position the body, driven by the impetus of the kick, is 
allowed to "slide" until the momentum is all but exhausted, when 
the arms are started again. Of course, though the various parts 
of the stroke are described separately, in action they are run into 
one another so closely as to produce a smooth, continuous 
motion. 

THE SIDE STROKE. 

I hesitated some time before giving this stroke space. It is 
one of the racing strokes that has seen its day, and is slowly 
passing away. Nevertheless it is used by many coaches to pre- 
pare the pupil for the more complicated trudgeon, and it un- 
doubtedly facilitates the acquisition of the scissor kick so I will 
give the way to learn it. 

The body rests on the water with one shoulder down, and it 
will be well, at first, to hang on to some stationary support to 
practice this kick. It is absolutely different from the old frog 
kick and not easy to learn properly, so don't get discouraged if 
you fail to become perfect after half an hour's trial. Things 
that are worth while do not come as rapidly as that. The first 
movement of the scissor kick consists in bringing the upper 
leg forward quite stiff at the knee and the under one back to a 
kneeling position. The under leg should not be moved from the 
hip, but from the knee. The action of the scissor kick should 
be front and back, just as in walking, with no side motion at 
all. When the toes of the under leg are two to three feet from 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 29 

the heel of the upper one (according to one's size) the legs are 
brought smartly together. The ankles are bent up just as the 
legs separate and then return to their original position as the 
legs close. Particular pains should be taken to keep the upper 
leg rigid ; it comes instinctively to bend it and unless you exag- 
gerate in practice you will not hold it properly later. In bending 
the knee, a resisting surface is presented to the water which off- 
sets all the good derived from the kick. The opening of the 
legs should be done very slowly, as a sudden movement in this, 
acts like a brake, and they should be brought together with a 
snap. It is a fault to open the legs too wide, as it increases the 
resistance. 

For the arm action, place your arms above the head, palms 
turned away from the face. Bring upper arm down smartly, with 
elbow rigid, hand the least bit spooned, fingers together. Carry 
through the water just below the surface, describing a semi- 
circle to end at the thigh, then bend the elbow and bring it for- 
ward well above water until on the full reach again. The under 
arm should be started just as the upper one finishes and brought 
down parallel to it, so that it brushes the lower thigh ; then the 
elbow is bent and the arm is shot forward below the surface, 
palm down. Breath is taken as the upper arm comes down and 
exhaled as the under arm goes forward. The legs are opened as 
the upper arm starts down, and snapped back as it finishes. The 
side stroke should give a smooth run with no jerks. 

THE TRUDGEON. 
A thing which I omitted in the side stroke, but now becomes a 
necessity', is a coach. This point I must emphasize before pro- 
ceeding any further. Swimming is a sport different from most 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 31 

Others inasmuch as the pupil cannot see what he is doing and 
often falls into serious faults without being aware of it. These, 
if not corrected at once, become chronic. The coach should be 
an expert, if possible, though anyone is better than no one ; only, 
it is essential that faults should be corrected and the uninitiated 
cannot very well tell you how. 

The trudgeon is the least tiring of strokes, when its relative 
speed is considered, and may be used for any distance. It is 
my opinion that a judicious alternating of the breast and the 
trudgeon will tire less and give better results than the use of the 
under- and over-arm side strokes. 

The trudgeon is a double over-arm stroke combined with the 
above described scissor kick. In not a few cases, however, it has 
been modified by an additional fluttering of the lower leg as the 
under arm goes forward. This keeps the body moving until the 
upper arm is ready to start downward again. That the name of 
trudgeon should be given to this new form of stroke is rather 
odd, as it does not resemble it very closely, but then, "trudgeon" 
has come to be a sort of generic appellation to be given to any 
variety of double over-arm. 

In learning the trudgeon the swimmer should take up the 
more simple kind, adding the crawl flutter later, if found ad- 
visable. The kick is the first thing to study and if one has tried 
the side stroke the arm action only will have to be practiced, as 
the scissor kick is used in both. I will remark here, though, that 
it is a great mistake to pass from one part of the stroke to an- 
other until the first has been thoroughly mastered. The trud- 
geon is far too complicated a stroke to allow of its being learned 
all together. Therefore, until that scissor kick is perfect, do not 
attempt to go any further. 



SPALDING'S ATHLii^TIC LIBRARY. 33 

When you feel confident of being an adept kicker, take up 
breathing. It is essential that this most important part of the 
stroke be acquired before bothering with the arms. To learn 
to breathe properly, lie flat on the water, face down, and begin 
by freeing the lungs of air. blowing it out under water, slowly 
and easily. Do not attempt to clear the lungs wnth one power- 
ful blow, but let the air out gradually ; it should take at least 
three or four seconds. This done, turn your head from the 
shoulders, to the side the upper arm is going to be, and take a 
long, deep breath, without haste. When the lungs are full, twist 
the head back and exhale under water as before, through the 
nostrils. Repeat until the method has lost its strangeness. 

In choosing a side to swim on, consult inclination. If you feel 
more comfortable on the right, adopt that side, but if you are 
equally at ease on both sides, swim with the right shoulder down, 
as this brings up the left flank and relieves the heart of a good 
deal of pressure that is placed upon it in swimming the other way. 

For the arm movement let the body rest on the water wnth 
hands at full reach above the head, palms down. This is the 
first and last position of the stroke. In catching the water the 
body is rolled a little and the head twisted around to bring the 
mouth above the surface. The palms are turned a wee bit to 
the side the body turns, and the upper arm is brought down with 
a strong, steady pull — elbow fairly rigid, wrist the least bit bent 
down, fingers together — until straight down alongside, then the 
elbow is bent and the arm brought forward well above water. 
The semi-circle described by the arm in the trudgeon is not like 
in the side stroke, parallel to the water, but almost at right 
angles to it. It is at right angles to the body, really, and as 
the body is rolled, the angle becomes more acute. Some men, 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 35 

in swimming distance, roll until the arms are at an angle of about 
45 degrees. The under arm is started just as the upper finishes, 
except in some cases. I have seen distance men "slide" for sev- 
eral yards, holding the upper arm alongside and the under one 
on the full reach, to be brought down only as the momentum 
died away. The under arm follows the same orbit that does the 
upper one, almost parallel to it; as it reaches its completion the 
body is rolled back on its face, the elbow bent, and the arm shot 
forward as the other, clear of the water; just as it gets to the 
full reach the upper arm is started down again. 

I have remarked already that in distance swimming the body 
rolls strongly; in sprinting, instead, it travels almost flat on the 
water, so that breath has to be taken by a rapid twist of the 
head from the shoulders. Also the elbows are bent a bit more in 
sprintinj to facilitate a quicker stroke, and instead of going 
straight down, they pull a little to each side, finishing at the 
hip instead of at the thigh. 

In swimming the whole stroke,, the time to be followed is : 
Upper arm first ; legs are opened up as it starts and snapped 
together as it finishes ; under arm comes down next ; upper arm 
starts the recovery as the under arm catches the water and be- 
gins another stroke as the under arm lifts to go forward. Breath 
is inhaled while the upper arm is pulling and exhaled while the 
under arm recovers. 

THE CRAWL. 
This stroke, which experts have come to look upon as the 
stroke of the future, is a combination of an abbreviated over-arm 
and a peculiar leg drive learned by the Australians from the na- 
tives of t^e South Sea Islands. The leg drive cannot be called 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRAtlj. 37 

a kick; it is a continuous up and down alternate thrash of the 
lower legs from the knee down. In Australia the action of the 
arms and legs is synchronous, that is, the right arm comes back 
as the left leg goes down, and vice versa. In America, with few 
exceptions, the arms and legs arc worked independently, and the 
thrash has a narrower scope, the legs being opened less. 

That our system is the best seems undoubted, if theory counts 
for anything in swimming. Mr. Robert Sandon, whom I con^ 
sider one of the v/orld's leading authorities on aquatic matters, 
explains the reason in a mr.r.ner that I think convincing. He 
asks us to watch the flight of a flat stone that has been thrown 
hard along the surface of the water, and note its progress. So 
long as the flat side strikes the water it bounces on without a 
check until its momentum ceases, but, let even the smallest por- 
tion of it become immersed and it is brought to a sudden stop, 
its flight checked instantly, never mind how great its speed. Ap- 
ply this to swimming, now. In the trudgeon, or even in the 
Australian crawl, when swum easily, there is a time when the 
propelling forces pause, the body sinks lower in the water, and a 
check is noted ; in some swimmers a very decided one. In the 
American crawl, instead, the continuous action of the legs keeps 
the body constantly in motion, so that there is no check or 
sinking and the stroke must perforce be faster. Of course, in 
sprinting with the Australian crawl the pause is so infinitesimal 
that there can be little advantage over it in the American stroke, 
but as it is very probable that eventually we will use the crawl 
for all distances, the point is not to be overlooked. A small 
number of Americans have adopted the Australian stroke, with 
its wide and synchronous thrash, but have added a fluttering of 
the feet between arm strokes, which makes the action continuous. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 39 

The relative time of the arms and legs, in the American crawl, 
can best be determined by the individual or his coach; one with 
strong arms and weak legs can adopt a rapid arm motion and a 
slow kick; one with strong legs can do the contrary. This is 
one of the stroke's best features, for it can be fitted to each per- 
son. Some of our best men use the arms almost entirely, and 
one at least, Mr. H. J. Handy, of Chicago, lets his legs trail be- 
hind him. He tried the kick, but found he could not swim with- 
out tiring when using it, so he abandoned it. Others can go al- 
most as fast with legs alone as when using the arms. 

A good deal of discussion has been raised in regard to whether 
the ankles should move or not in the crawl. Mr. Gus Sundstrom, 
instructor at the New York Athletic Club, who was indirectly 
responsible for the introduction of the crawl in America and 
who has more speed with the leg drive alone than any man I 
have seen, not only bends the ankles back and forth, but he says 
it is b}'' doing it that he gets his wonderful speed. His drive is 
more of a pedaling motion, he brings the toes up as the leg rises 
and points them down as the leg snaps back. A few of our 
swimmers also move the ankle a little, but most of them keep it 
rigid. At the present stage we cannot say positively which is 
Ihc better method, but from Mr. Sundstrom's success we should 
cny using them is. 

There are as many varieties of the crawl nowadays as there 
are men using it. No two swim it alike and each indulges in a 
little experimenting of his own. This will gradually lead to 
progress, and it is probable that as the men discard the ineffi- 
cient details in favor of the successful ones, the different var- 
ieties will condense into definite strokes from which the best 
will eventually be picked, 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 41 

To learn the American crawl, start with the arms. In fact, 
you will probably do well not to try the legs at all until you can 
swim a good fifty with your arms only. Lie fiat on the water, 
with arms a little bent at the elbow and stretched out above your 
head. The wrists should be just beyond your head and the arms 
a little more open than in the trudgeon, hands bent down a little. 
Catch the water with a decided snap and drive them through at 
a brisk pace, always bent at the elbow, until they reach the hip, 
then lift them clear of the water and carry them forward with 
elbow well up in the air. The arms being started wider apart 
than in the trudgeon, they are also brought down further apart. 
The under arm is started just as the upper one finishes. 

For the kick, move the legs up and down alternately, keeping 
them stiff at the hip and holding the knees close together. There 
is little difficulty in learning this, if one knows how it should be 
done, but the best way, after reading the description, is to 
watch it in action. To imitate it without having read it up, is 
not easy, and to acciuire it without seeing it is harder still, but 
with the help of both a few days of practice will be sufficient. 
Don't open the feet more than twelve or eighteen inches from 
heel to toe. The real difficulty in the crawl is in working the 
arms and legs into a smooth stroke, and also in learning to hold 
the tiring leg drive over a given distance. Both are a matter of 
practice. 

The position of the body in the crawl is flat on the face, much 
like when sprinting with the trudgeon ; there should be hardly 
any rolling and breath should be taken only every two or three 
strokes by a quick twist of the head as the upper arm is being 
brought down. The time for exhaling is as the under arm goes 
forward. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 43 

When the crawl is swum slowly, as it is over the distances, the 
arm stroke is lengthened, so as to resemble that of the trudgeon, 
and the legs are slowed according to the distance; then breath is 
taken at every stroke. 

SWIMMING ON THE BACK. 

Those few who are students of the back stroke have attempted 
to adapt the latest speed strokes to back swimming and while the 
success achieved has not proved decisively the superiority of any 
one form, there are three strokes now being used. The first is a 
counterpart of the breast stroke, altered only enough to suit the 
different positions. The arms, instead of recovering in the water, 
are lifted into the air to get to the full reach, and the action much 
resembles that of a windmill. The second has this same arm 
action with the leg drive of the crawl, and the third is identical, 
except inasmuch as the arms move alternately as in the trudgeon, 
instead of together, as in the breast stroke. Of course, in alter- 
nating, a decided roll is given to the body. 

To learn the plain back stroke, lie flat on the water, as in 
floating, with arms fully extended above your head, hands flat, 
palms turned upward. This position also ends the stroke and 
should be held while the body is allowed to "run," after the legs 
have kicked. In bringing down the arms, catch the water sharply 
with hands back to back, palms outward, and pull them through 
with a steady pull, stiff at the elbow, describing a semi-circle just 
below the surface and parallel to it. When the arms are along- 
side, turn palms downward and keeping them rigid, carry them 
to the full reach by waving them up well clear of the water. 
The legs are held close together, toes down, until the arms start 
their recovery, then they are bent up, and open, just like in the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 45 

breast stroke kick, and they are snapped together as the arms 
attain the full reach, when the body, now in original position, is 
let "glide" until the momentum imparted by the kick wears off. 
Then another arm stroke is started. It is really the action and 
tmie of the breast stroke. 

For the two other varieties the work of each individual arm 
and leg is the same and the leg drive has been described 
in detail in connection with the crawl. The time, in either, may 
be suited to oneself as the arms and legs work independently 
of each other. 

Swimming on the back is best adapted to men with long, 
strong arms, so that tall people generally turn out its best ex- 
ponents. It is not a popular method of natation, and many 
look upon it as a very useless accomplishment. This it is not by 
iny means, though, for in life saving it is used with great 
success. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 4? 



COMPETITIVE SWIMMING 



HOW TO CHOOSE ONE'S DISTANCE. 
Every man. in deciding to enter the competitive field as a 
swimmer has some idea as to whether he wants to become a 
sprinter or a distance swimmer, for nine times out of ten it 
is the realization of one's possibilities that leads to racing. In 
either case, there are but two strokes worth taking up, the trud- 
geon and the crawl. For a sprinter the crawl is undoubtedly the 
one to adopt and many maintain that it is also the fastest dis- 
tance stroke. Learned for the purpose, and timed accordingly, 
there is no reason why it should not give the best results. The 
fact that It is admittedly the speediest sprinting stroke proves 
beyond question that the movements are the best and that it is 
merely a case of making them just slow enough to be held over 
the distance to be covered. Several swimmers have negotiated 
the mile in competition with it, so that we know it can be 
done. The aspirant to distance honors can lose nothing by giving 
it a trial ; it is easy to revert to the trudgeon if it proves unsat- 
isfactory. And in advocating a trial, I do not mean for the 
candidate to try to hold the vertiginous fifty yard speed over a 
half mile or mile course, an attempt most novices make, but 
the swimming of easy stretches, say of two or three hundred 
yards, very slowly and paying close attention to form. Not one 
out of ten has a really good conception of pace, and few men 
seem even to appreciate that pace must be adjusted to the distance 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 49 

before one. They will start out on a long swim, especially if 
they are trying a stroke that is new to them, as if they were 
going only fifty yards, and of course they die out before the 
hundred mark is reached. I believe this to be the reason that at 
the appearance of both the trudgeon and the crawl everyone pre- 
dicted that they would never be held over the furlong. 

Whether it is best for one to become a sprinter or distance 
swimmer cannot very well be ascertained until a good deal of 
racing has been done. Everyone begins at the sprints, and if 
one is better fitted to the distances he will soon find it out with- 
out being told. The knowledge comes mstinctively. 

In taking up racing, or in deciding to, the prospective competi- 
tor should bear in mind that the only way to succeed is to 
learn the stroke correctly and thoroughly before attempting any 
fast work at all. To race with a faulty stroke is simply to de- 
velop and confirm one's faults and to doom oneself to mediocrity. 
Many youngsters who win their novice race, and possibly some 
other unimportant event by brute strength, firmly believe that 
they are on the high road to success, and neglect form alto- 
gether, with the result that they never accomplish anything. Form 
IS mdispensable nowadays ; we have progressed so far towards 
scientific swimming that even the most favored by nature will 
never reach the championship class unless through form. The 
temptation is greai to start racing as soon as speed appears, and 
one's first prizes look very enticing, but a little self denial and 
early application will amply repay in the long run. 

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A RACE. 
It is probable that no two men train alike for a swimming 
race and it is. quite certain that most of them should not train 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 61 

alike. With the exception of a few gencrahties no rockbound 
rules can be set down; each must learn by experience what is 
best for him. Some men will only round into form after going 
through work that would send others stale in jig time; and 
again some thrive on food that would be quite unfit for others. 
It is a matter of idiosyncrasies. 

In regard to food I believe that a mixed diet, with meat in 
moderation and plenty of fresh vegetables and ripe fruit, can be 
recommended to everyone. Prominent dietiticians of the day 
have come to the conclusion that meat is not necessary to the 
training athlete, and it has been my experience that fat produc- 
ing foods are best for the swimmer. Meat is said to give 
strength while keeping down weight, but an aquatic competitor 
does not want to be down fine, he will do much better work if a 
few pounds above normal. The extra avoirdupois adds to the 
buoyancy, makes impervious to cold, and gives that reserve en- 
ergy that is so often the deciding factor in a closely contested 
race. Eat heartily, therefore, and only avoid those notably in- 
digestible foods such as pastry, pork, veal, lobsters, etc. ; though 
indeed, in the early part of training even these may be taken in 
moderation with impunity, if thoroughly masticated. This eat- 
ing slowly and chewing the food properly is the great secret of 
a healthy digestion. During the fortnight preceding competi- 
tion, however, the swimmer should become discriminating and 
be extremely careful of what he eats and drinks. Ice water is 
not conducive to digestion, in fact it retards it materially by 
lowering the temperature of the stomach. Take of it sparingly 
throughout your training, and drink in preference cocoa, milk, 
water at an even temperature; or, ale, beer and claret in small 
quantities Between meals good filtered, or spring water, is most 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



53 



beneficial. Coffee, tea, intoxicants, stimulants, and drugs of all 
kinds had best be left alone altogether in training, and tobacco 
should not be used under any consideration. 

One more very important point and I pass to the work to be 
done. Don't cut your sleep. Sleep is nature's great panacea for 
all ills, its own means of replenishing the exhausted storage bat- 
teries of strength and energy. If we want to be in good condition 
we must give her sufficient time to do her good work. Plenty of 
sleep is an absolute necessity to the training athlete; he should 
have at least eight hours a night. Staying up late is also bad 
for you, even if you get your eight hours ; the hours before mid- 
night are the most beneficial and your curfew should not ring 
later than 10.30. 

In regard to work, much depends on the distance in sight, on 
the time at one's disposal, and on the constitution of the swim- 
mer. A distance man requires more time than a sprinter, a 
strong constitution allows more work than a weak one and, of 
course, if you have one or three months to train in makes all 
the difference in the division of your training. In no case, how- 
ever, should less than a month be taken. 

Experience is really the only efficient teacher; each man must 
work out his own system, or his coach must do it for him, but 
for the novice I can advocate one that having proved satisfac- 
tory in many instances may be safely recommended. It will 
serve the purpose until a personal system has been evolved. 

Most novices, either through anxiety to enter competition, or 
through ignorance of what should be, limit their training time 
to two or three weeks, so that I will not extend it to over a 
month, but I will advise a longer period whenever it is possible. 

The first week should be devoted to improving the general con- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

dition of the body and almost any kind of healthy exercise will 
do this. It should be borne in mind, though, that to swim, the 
muscles must be supple so that any work so heavy as to harden 
them is detrimental to speed. Running, lifting heavy dumbbells, 
wrestling and like exercises are not advisable. A daily swim, 
during the first week, is beneficial but not essential. If you swim 
every day take only short, easy stretches of fifty and one hun- 
dred yards, going through the movements slowly, so as to ac- 
quire form. 

During the second week the land exercises should be cut down 
to a very few minutes, and the swims lengthened. It is only by 
perfecting the stroke that one progresses and it cannot be per- 
fected in sprinting; faults are emphasized by fast, exhausting 
work. To correct them take easy, careful swims, increasing the 
distance gradually, and always having some one to look over your 
work and coach you. 

Dr. Shell advises swimming only three times a week, while 
training, and I mention this opinion because he has devoted a 
deal of time and study to the question, but I must admit that I 
differ from him, and that I think one day of rest a week is quite 
sufficient. 

The distance to be gone on the first day of the second week is 
two hundred yards, and it should be increased daily by fifty 
yards, the last day's swim being a good hard quarter under the 
watch. Not what is understood as a time trial, but just a quarter 
at a brisk pace. In fact I believe one's individual laps should be 
timed all through training, whether one goes fast or slowly. 
These will tell how even a pace is h^.ld and little by little make 
one a good judge of pace. A few champions I have known grew 
so accustomed to this timing that they could suspend a stop watch 




POSITION IN THE HIGH DIVE. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 57 

just above the surface of the water and time themselves, so that 
in a tnal they knew just when to increase or slacken their speed 
This only comes after much practice, though, for one has to re- 
member the time of every othjr lap. 

On the third week only aquatic work should be indulged in, 
the swimmer alternating short sprints one day with distances the 
next. If your race is at the furlong, or under, go about 300 
yards on the distance days and sprint 50 and 100 yards on the 
others. If your race is at the quarter, alternate quarters and 
sprints; if over, lengthen the stretches gradually, making them 
600, 750, and 880, if you are to go the half, and 880, 1,320, and 
1,760, if you are going the mile. In going these distances a good 
steady pace should be held. Not racing speed, because, form must 
still be aimed at, but fast enough to get one used to hard work 
and, as said before, under the watch. Never sprint at the end 
of these long swims-it is injurious. It is bad enough to have 
to put the terrific strain on the heart in a race. Try to keep an 
even pace throughout. 

On the first day of the last week make a timp tnal over the 
entire course, whatever it be, and swim it just as you would a 
race. On the second day take only an easy stretch of at most 
200 yards; on the third, another time trial; on the fourt^,, a Tew 
starts, with a couple of 25 yard sprints, and on the eve of the 
race absolute rest. 

In training for a sprint it will do no harm to go time trials 
twice a week throughout the period of training. And, of course, 
if two months of preparation can be indulged in, the system must 
be modified accordingly. For two months the doubling of the 
week's work will prove satisfactory, except that the distances 
may be lengthened more gradually. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 59 

All important item in indoor racing is the turn. Experts esti- 
mate that a good turner gains from one-fifth to four-fifths of a 
second on a bad one at each turn, so that in a mile race held in 
a sixty-foot tank the bad turner would be handicapped one min- 
ute and ten seconds, or in the neighborhood of one hundred 
yards. 

In learning the turn the first thing to tackle is the approach 
of the wall ; it must be timed so as to reach it with the turning 
arm stretched out in front. This is done by taking a couple of 
long strokes, or two or three short ones, as the wall is neared. 
When the hand touches the wall, which it does just above the 
waterline, the palm is laid down on it, the fingers pointing in the 
direction the body is going to circle, and p.irallel to the surface. 
The body is now swung around, helped by the under arm, which 
is stretched alongside, so that the soles of the feet come into 
contact with the wall, a few inches below the surface. Now the 
hands are brought rapidly to the hip, palms pointing in front, 
fingers down, and they give a backward stroke, which brings 
the body right against the wall, with the hips nearly touching 
it. Then the arms are put forv/ard, as in starting the trudgeon, 
the legs are straightened out suddenly with a snap, and the body 
is allowed to travel on the impetus of the push-off until it slows 
down, when the arms take a stroke. The legs do not move until 
the arms are recovering, when they fall into their proper action. 
It is a great mistake to try to kick before the arms have taken 
a full stroke. Many swimmers take advantage of the turn to get 
a deep breath; it is taken as on Page 50, just before the hands take 
the backward stroke to force the body in position for the push-off. 
The starting dive is also an important part of racing, specially 
in sprinting. A fast, shallow dive should be adopted- Performed 




OLYAIPIC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. 1912. 
Australasiau relay team; winners of Sno meters relay race; 1, Leslie Board- 
mln; 2 cloil Healy. and 3, H. H. Hardwick. Sydney, N.S.W.; 4, M. Cbam- 
yioD, New Zealand. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 61 

slowly, this racing dive would be an over-balanci\iK^ of the body 
forward, with a mighty spring, aided by arms and legs, as it 
passes beyond its center of gravity. Stand with body bent for- 
ward, or with knees slightly bent. As the signal is given get on 
tiptoe and swing your arms back, much as in jumping; then 
swing them forward as the body falls over, bend well on your 
knees, lower your heels and spring out with head erect, arms 
extended over your head, palms down. These are the move- 
ments dissected, but of course in diving they are gone through 
so quickly as to make just one rapid spring. Try to strike the 
water with arms, body and legs in a straight line, ',t such an 
angle that you will only sink a few inches. To g, deep is to 
kill your speed. As the hands touch the water, av b the back 
a little, pointing the hands up, so as to get to the surface at 
once and then set the arms going, remembering vtiat, like in the 
turn, the legs must not be moved until the ar.us have taken a 
stroke and are recovering. ve 

Coming now to the hygienic details of tnjning, it may be 
pointed out that too much indulgence in the steam and hot 
rooms is as injurious a habit as it is prevalent. Three or four 
minutes of heat, preferably in the steam room, are quite suf- 
ficient to open the pores, and more is weakening. As for sitting 
in the steam room by the half hour, a thing training swimmers 
often do, it is the death of snap. 

Long stays in the water are also conducive to sluggishness, 
and standing around the pool wet is responsible for a long list 
of ills. This noted, make it a principle to limit yourself to at 
most five minutes of steam, then a swim, a good brisk rub as 
soon as you come out of the water, and if you want to stay in 
the natatorium after, a warm bath robe and slippers. 




OLTMnC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1912. 

George Hodgson, Montreal A.A.C.; winner of 400 meters and 1500 meters 

swims in world's record time. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 63 

It is a wise move to stuff the ears with cotton on entering the 
water and to change this wet cotton for dry, on coming out. 
The dry absorbs all the moisture and prevents ear trouble, so 
prevalent among careless swimmers. 

During the winter the hair should be dried very thoroughly 
and the bociy allowed to cool off before leaving the natatorium 
building. To go into the freezing atmosphere outside, espe- 
cially with wet hair, from the torrid temperature of the bath 
is enough to give pneumonia to even the strongest. 

On the day of the race, don't make the mistake of changing all 
your habits, as so many athletes do, thinking it is the proper 
thing. We are such creatures of habit that the slightest change 
affects us. Try to follow the lines of your daily life ; if you take 
coffee and steak for breakfast don't change to milk and eggs, 
though, of course, if your race is at one and you usually eat a 
hearty meal at twelve, the case changes aspect. Use judgment, 
and eat very sparingly, unless you have three or four hours to 
digest in. But, above all, keep your mind busy and don't worry 
over the issue of the race. Worry saps up i.j^re energy than 
the hardest kind of physical work. 

HINTS ABOUT RACING. 
If I have been asked once, I have been asked a hundred times 
by ambitious youngsters whether it is best to sprint at the be- 
ginning, in the mddle, or at the' end of a race. The correct 
way of racing, in theory, is not to sprint at all, but to find the 
fastest gait one can hold over the distance to go, and to hold 
it. Unluckily, we are all such poor judges of pace that it is next 
to impossible for us to apportion our energy equally over the 
course so that it will just run out in the last few yards. We 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 65 

either kill ourselves by earl}'- sprinting or reserve energy for a 
sensational finish which would have been far better employed 
sooner. 

I consider good judgment in pacing the most valuable asset of 
the fast swimmer. It is undoubtedly the pace that kills, the pace 
above the individual's normal one for the distance, and a pun- 
ishing sprint, whether indulged in at the start or at any other 
part of a race, is harmful, and detrimental to the best results. 
Distributed evenly over the entire course the extra strength 
needed for that sprint would have made the final time better. 
Fast men are often seen to "lay back," sprint away from an 
opponent and then slow down, and do all sorts of jockeying. 
Put down anything you sec in this line to play to the galleries 
and in very bad taste. A man who feels certain of victory should 
be enough of a sportsman not to try to bring ridicule on his 
opponent, and the man who is not certain of victory will find it 
far more profitable to swim his own race without bothering about 
what his adversaries are doing and by holding a steady gait. 
To allow oneself to be drawn out by an early sprint, or to lay 
back, is always folly. 

It is rather a common habit to try to steal on the starter, and 
not a few take pride in being experts at it. It is bad policy 
even apart from the fact that one should not take unfair advan- 
tage of one's opponent. An impartial referee will disqualify any- 
one guilty of stealing and the swimmer may find it decidedly un- 
pleasant if hv 'oses a prize after having won a hard-fought 
race, just because he took an unfair advantage that he may not 
have needed. 

Another bad mistake is to enter into noisy arguments with an 
official, to challenge the decision of the judges and to use un- 




JOSEPH RUDDY. 
New York Athletic Club. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



67 



parliamentary language. These things are offensive to every one 
present. Just place yourself in the position of the questioned 
official and try to think how you would like it if a shouting and 
gesticulating contestant threw the taunt of unfairness at you, 
or became profane to you. A quiet, gentlemanly remonstrance 
will always be listened to, and if fair, probably heeded. But a 
noisy or abusive one will even turn a wavering judge against 
the protestant. 

When your instincts urge you to a strenuous objection, remem- 
ber that it is the wise man who keeps on the right side of the 
officials. Nothing is ever gained by loud and boisterous tactica. 




THE DIVING TOWER USED IN 1906 CHAMPIONSHIPS, HELD AT 
ST. LOUIS. MO. (DR. SHELDON DIVING). 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



FLOATING AND DIVING 



Floating is a mere question of balance, so that to learn how 
one must find a position in which the dead weight of the body is 
distributed evenly, above and below the buoyant center, the 
lungs. The legs will be found to overbalance the head and 
shoulders and in most cases the feet sink. This can be ob- 
viated by throwing the head back and by extending the arms at 
full length above the head ; the additional leverage generally 
establishes the balance and brings the feet up. But if it should 
not prove sufficient the legs may be opened first, and if even 
this is not enough, brought up bent at the knees. Floating is 
greatly facilitated by breathing in such a manner that the lungs 
are kept partially full of air all the time. Try to allow the air to 
get as low as possible in the lungs, and then, by short breaths, 
keep it there. Deep breathing and long exhaling should be 
avoided. 

Women float more readily than men, and stout people better 
than slight ones, but even the slightest can learn. To learn, get 
into water where you have a footing and placing your arms over 
your head let yourself drop backwards very slowly, arching the 
spine, and throwing the head back. Don't breathe until you have 
settled, as the face generally sinks for a second as you fall and 
then comes above water again. If you don't float at once try 
bending the legs as told above. 

Floating is not only an enjoyable pastime, it is a most useful 
accomplishment. Should one tire on a long swim, or be wrecked 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 71 

where it is not possible to make land for hours, floating not only 
allows a complete rest, but one may keep on top indefinitely by 
it, even when exhausted, and in case of a cramp it is indispen- 
sable. 

PLUNGE FOR DISTANCE. 

Here, too, we find a question of balance, and it is really noth- 
ing but floating on one's face, the position being identical As in 
floating, it is very important to keep the lower portion of the 
lungs well filled with air, and as there is no breathing to be 
done it is not as hard. 

Good plungers are stout men, as a rule, with large shoulders 
and comparatively light legs ; but there are exceptions, and even 
slight men with good lung capacity will be able to hold out the 
sixty seconds allowed by rules, if their position is good. 

There are three points to be considered in plunging; the dive, 
the position of the body in the water, and the direction; the 
dive gives speed, the proper position enables one to retain it, 
and, of course, direction is essential in competition, when to 
touch the wall is to lose all the following distance. 

The dive to be taken in plunging is the shallow dive described 
as the racing dive. Before starting, the lungs must be cleaned 
out by two or three long, deep breaths, and then filled well. The 
dive must be made as speedy as possible and as soon as the body 
strikes the water all tension of the muscles should be relaxed and 
an effort should be made to get the air as low in the lungs as one 
can. In case a divergence from the true course is noticed, the 
plunger can straighten himself by moving the arms and head 
very slowly to the opposite side; the movement must be insen- 
sible, though, or it will check the progress almost instantane- 
ously. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 73 

As nine- tenths of those who take up plunging for distance do 
so with the object of competing, it may be recommended to 
them to put on as much flesh as possible. The heavier the body 
the greater its force of inertia and the added pounds also add to 
one's buoyancy. 

DIVING. 

The shallow or racing dive, which has been described in con- 
nection with competitive swimming, is the most practical and 
useful of dives. In a race, in plunging, in playing water polo, it 
gives more speed than other dives and in swimming in unknown 
waters it is safe to use, as it keeps the body near the surfac2 
where the chances of colliding with sunken rocks or obstructions 
are very slight. There are only tv^^o other dives which need bs 
mentioned, the plain front, and the plain back. Once these two 
are mastered perfectly the others will come readily, for they are 
merely these dives combined with some acrobatic feat. I will not 
attempt to touch on fancy diving at all, because it would take 
volumes to treat the intricate subject adequately. 

FRONT DIVE. 

In many respects this dive resembles the racing one, only it is 
slower in action and more deliberate, its beauty resting in the 
perfect form and composure of the diver. Stand erect with hands 
at your sides, and slowly allow the body to fall forward without 
moving the feet ; as it passes the balance point swing the arms 
back and bend the knees. Then swing the arms before yoU; 
above the head, spring out (not down, but right out parallel to 
the water) and, curving the body the least bit downward, enter 
the water almost at right angles, with every muscle set, a::c! the 
arms, head, 'lody and legs forming a straight line, even to the 




OLYMPIC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1912. 
Duke P. Kahanamoku, Honolulu, H. I.; winner of lOO meters swim and mem- 
ber of the American relay team which finished second; holder of world's 
record for 100 meters. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 75 

toes which point backward. The angle at which the water is 
struck varies according to the height of the take-off; the higher 
the take-off the straighter the dive. 

In diving from a height, especially if the water is not very 
deep, it is prudent to arch the back as soon as one strikes, so as 
to bring the body to the surface. In competition, however, or 
when a particularly clean dive wants to be taken, it is best to 
make it very straight and to keep rigid without a move, until 
the feet are covered. In curving the back, the shins and feet are 
made to strike the water, causing a splash that spoils the effect 
of the dive. Particular attention should be paid to the lower 
leg, in diving, as it is almost a universal fault to bend it back as 
the shoulders hit the water. 

For the running high dive follow the same rules only, of 
course, instead of stopping at the take-off, take a good spring 
into the air, having care to spring out and up, as told above. 

BACK DIVE. 
In this dive the swimmer turns his back to the water and 
stands on the edge of the platform, or board, with the ball of 
his feet resting on it, but the heels in space. The arms are 
raised slowly above the head, the body curved backwards and 
allowed to fall over, then as it passes the balance point a good 
spring is taken and turning a graceful curve the body enters the 
water almost at right angles. 




OLYMPIC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1912. 
America's Swimming Team, which won second place in the One-Mile Relay 
Race. Left to right — Kenneth Huszagh, Duke Kahanamoku, Harry Hebner 
and Perry McGillivray. "" ' 



BPALDlNG'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 77 



ORNAMENTAL SWIMMING 

This generic name includes every aquatic feat that can be per- 
formed. Be it easy or difficult, common or uncommon, it comes 
mider the heading of ornamental swimming. 

For the man who is at home in the water most of the tricks 
that can be performed are merely a matter of practice and no 
one should neglect to learn a dozen or so, and go through them 
co-ordinately, every now and then, so that if called upon at any 
time one can roll them off one after the other without interrup- 
tions or pauses. They make an interesting exhibiton, always ac- 
ceptable at a swimming meet, and are a constant source of en- 
joyment to one's less expert friends. I will confine myself to de- 
scribing a few of the best known and the pupil can easily pick up 
the others. 

THE ROLLING LOG. 
One of the easiest 'and most effective tricks is the rolling log, 
which anyone knowing how to float can learn in a few minutes. 
Take a floating position and locking the thumbs together exert 
the muscles of the side, without moving hands and legs, until 
you turn on your side, then apply the other set and complete 
the circle. At first do it very slowly, for the beauty of the trick 
lies in showing as little movement as possible. After a little 
practice you will be able to turn quite rapidh', as a log that i? 
being rolled, though the muscles hardly move. 




OLYAinC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1912. 
Arthur McAleenan, Jr., New York Athletic Club diver, 
at swimming stadium, Stocliholm; youngest member 
of the American team. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 79 

SWIMMING LIKE A DOG. 
This style of swimming has no value, except for exhibition 
purposes. The body is held like in the breast stroke, but the 
action of both arms and legs is separately alternate. The hands 
go out in front, palms down, until on three-quarter reach, and 
then come down into the body describing a circle ; they move 
front and back only, and do not go out to the sides, as in the 
breast stroke. The legs are moved very much as in bicycling. 
Watch a dog swim and it will be an easy matter to imitate him. 

SOMERSAULTS. 

If performed cleanly and swiftly, somersaults always please the 
spectator and they need no study. For the front somersault 
stand upright, treading water, with arms out to the sides, at 
right angles to the bod}^, palms down. Bend head forward and 
taking a hard stroke force the body over, keeping it curved under 
water until it returns to the surface again. 

For the back somersault, assume the same position, then throw 
back the head, curve the spine, and bend the knees under you ; a 
quick backspring, aided by a good stroke of the hands, will 
cause the body to circle around as on an axle. 

The double somersault, performed by two swimmers together, 
is a very pretty trick. The men get side by side, one floating, the 
other as in swimming, the one's head at the other's feet. Then 
the one on his face submerges himself and placing his head 
between the floating man's ankles he takes hold of the latter's 
head in a similar way. They are thus back to back. They now 
proceed to turn back somersaults and one after the other the 
heads appear over the surface and then disappear as they go 
round. 




OLYMPIC GAME.S AT STOCKJiOJ.M. SWEDEN 1910 

Perry McGillivray, Illinois A.C., Chioago; member of relav ^fPAm «-hi„K 

flnxsbed second: also winner of 100 yards championship o/Big^Sia. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 81 

SCULLING. 
This method of propulsion should be practiced with care, for it 
is the keynote of several of the neatest feats of ornamental 
swimming. The body starts in the usual floating position, but 
with arms down at the sides. Sculling is a circular motion of 
the hands from the wrist, aided by a slight bending of the el- 
bow. Its action is quite rapid, but I will take the different 
moves apart, so that the beginner may know how to learn it. 
The arms are alongside, palms down, hands open, fingers to- 
gether and wrist straight ; then the wrist is bent a little, the 
hands are twisted up and away from the body, then snapped in- 
w^ard towards the feet, the elbow helping, describing a circular 
motion much resembling that, of one baling with the hand. 

SWIMMING BACKWARD. 
There are two ways of doing this, floating and swimming. 
In either case the arms are at full reach over the head, the 
position of the body being respectively the same as in floating 
and plunging. Then the hands begin to scull as told above and 
the body will be propelled feet foremost. The legs may either 
move in a slow crawl movement or keep still, 

THE TORPEDO. 

This is only a modification of floating backward. Having as- 
sumed a floating position, the legs are bent at the knees so that 
the lower legs come well to the surface, then the head is thrown 
back, the hands give an upward stroke that buries the head and 
shoulders, and in this position the hands (still above the head) 
begin to scull. From above, all that can be seen is the feet glid- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 83 

ing through the water. As the body has a tendency to rise m 
this, it is well to give the sculling a slight upward slant; prac 
tice will tell just how much. 

THE SHIP. 
This is another sculling trick, and not so easy. Body is held 
as in floating, arms alongside. Keeping one leg in the usual po- 
sition, lift the other straight mto the air, so that it sticks out 
of the water at right angles to the body as a funnel on a steamer. 
By sculling with a downward slant you will keep afloat and pro- 
pel yourself in either direction. It is a real feat to do the 
schooner, lifting both legs up. 

THE TOP. 
Tread water, then bend up legs until the knees are against 
your chest. Place arms out at right angles and set yourself spin- 
ning by taking strong, fast, alternate strokes. The arms never 
leave the water, being carried back to starting point palm down, 
so that they ofifer no resistance to the water. 

MONTE CRISTO. 
This is the most sensational of tricks, and can be done by 
anyone used to underwater work. A large sack is provided; 
one in which a man fits comfortably. At its neck, where the 
fastening goes, a hole is made through which two thin pieces of 
cord are passed. When the swimmer gets into the sack he takes 
the two loose ends of the cord in his hand and some one closes 
the mouth, binding it around a couple of times before putting in 
the knots. After a momentary pause the sack is thrown over- 




OLYMPIC GAMES AT STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1912. 
H. J. Hebner, Illinois Athletic Club, Chicago; winner of 100 meters, back 

second. 



strcike race and member of American team which finished 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 85 

board with a cry. On reaching the water the imprisoned man 
lets go of the two ends of the cord, which he has been holding, 
and the mouth of the sack can then be loosened with no trouble. 
The swimmer makes his exit and comes to the surface. If the 
water is at all muddy the trick can be made more thrilling by 
staying under water until want of air compels coming to the 
surface. 

There are a hundred other tricks which can be performed, all 
of them entertaining, but every book on swimming is full of 
them and it is an easy matter to work out a good program. 
The few given herein are merely the fundamental ones from 
which most of the others can be evolved. 



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No. 110. Sleeveless, worsted, full fashioned, best qual- 
ity. Plain colors only : Navy, Black or Gray. 

^ Suit, $5.00 * $54.00 Dos. 

No. 614. Sleeveless, fine quality worsted, striping on 
shirt and pants in following colors only : Black w^ith 
Cardinal and White striping ; Navy with Gray and 
White striping; Gray with Navy and Cardinal striping; Dark Green with Red 
and White striping Suit, $3.50 -^ $37. SO Doz. 

The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with ^ ivill be quoted only 
on orders for one-half dozen or more. Quantity prices NOT allowed on items 

NOT marked with * 



No. 
614 



PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO 
m COMMUNICATIONS 
^ ADDRESSED TO US 



A.G.SPALDING «&. BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER^ 

^BF THIS BOOl '^ 



Prio«*ui effect JsDuary 5. 



Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices »ee tpecial Canadian Catalogue:. 



Spalding Two Piece Bathing Suits 

All Styles Furnished in Sizes 28 to 46 Inches Chest Measure- 
ment. Change Pocket in Trunks of All Spalding Suits. 

No. lOOPC. PacificCoaststyle; that is, one piece, but^with skirt 
which cannot be tucked inside of tights. Sleeveless, striped 
worsted, fullfashioned, best quality. In following colors only: 
Graytrimmed Navy;Navy trimmed Cardinal; Navy trimmed 
White; Maroon trimmed Black. Sui[,$3.50ifrSo7.S{?Do2. 
No. 600F. Consisting of sleeve- 
less, fine quality worsted shirt 
with stripe around chest; Navy 
and White, Navy and Red, and 
Gray and Cardinal; good qual- 
ity Gray or Navy flannel knee 
pants, and special white canvas 
bathing belt with metal buckle. 
Suit, $3.50 * $31.80 Doz. 





No. lOOPC 

No. 109. Sleeveless, fine 
quality v/orsted, solid 
colors only, either 
Black, Navy Blue or 
Gray. . Suit, $3.50 
-kSSl.SO Do2. 

No. 195. Sleeveless, No. 600 F 

fancy w^orsted, with attractive striping on shirt and 
pants in following colors; Gray trimmed White; Navy 
trimmed White ; Black trimmed White ; Gray trim- 
med Navy Suit, $3.50 -^ $31.80 Doz, 

No. 601. Quarter sleeve, fine quality cut worsted in plain 
Navy, Black and Maroon. Suit, $3.00 -j^ $32.40 Dos, 

No. 600. Sleeveless, fine quality cut w^orsted, furnished 
in plain colors only : Navy, Black or Gray. 

Suit, $2.50 * $21.00 Doz. 



|^^\ 




No. 195 



The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with -j^ will be quoted only 

on orders for 07ie-half dozen or mo7^e. Quantity prices NOT allozued on items 

NOT marked with -^ 



ANY CdgMUWOAmilS I 



A. G. SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FDR COMPLETE LIST OF 
SEE INSifiE front: . 
' OF THIS Boot ^^ 



Price* ip effect Juiumt 5, 1914. Subject to cbaiue without notice. For CanMliwi price* «ee tpecial C&nadian Cal«lo(u«., 



SruUHE SPALDING(||^))TRADE-MARK 'Zl^'j 




No. 600PC 




^No. 
1 60S 



Spalding ^ 
Two Piece 
Bathing Suits 

All Styles Furnished in Sizes 28 to 

46 Inches Chest Measurement. 

Change Pocket in Trunks of all 

Spalding Suits. 

No. 600PC. This suit is 
made in what is known 
as the Pacific Coast style, 
all in one piece, but with 
skirt which cannot be 
tucked inside of tights. 
Sleeveless, fine quality 
cut worsted inplain colors 
only, either Navy, Black, 
Gray or Maroon. 
Suit, $2.50 *.)":?7. ^6>I)os. 

No.28. Quarter sleeve, 
cotton, fashioned, mer- 
cerized silk trimming, in 
following colors only: 
Navy trimmed Red; Navy 
trimmed White. 

Suit, $1.50irS/6.2{Woz. 

No. 608. Sleeveless, finest 
quality cotton, trimmed 
pants and shirt. Colors : 
Navy and Red or Navy 
and White only. 
Suit, $1.25i^.^'7J.S(9I)oz. 

No. 606. Sleeveless, cotton, 
in Navy Blue, with either 
Red or White trimmings 
on shirt ; plain pants. 
Suit. $1.00i^S/6'.dVI)os. 

No. 605. Sleeveless, cotton. 
Navy Blue. 

Suit, 75c. i^ ss./^?noz. 

The prices printed in italics 
opposite items marked with if 
ivill be quoted only on orders 
for one-half dozen or more. 
Quantity prices NOT allowed 
on items NOT marked with 'k 




No.28 



I PUMPI MENTION GIVEN TO I 
' ANfCOMMUNICATIONr 

•fticM in effect January S, 1914: Subject to change without notice. For Canadian, price* see (j>ocial Canadian Cataloguw 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 




FOR COMPLETE LIST dF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER ^ 

■ OF THIS BOOK '-^ 





Patent Combination Swimming Suit 

No. 3R. Best quality 

worsted. Furnished in 

solid color only, either 

plain Black, plain Navy 

Blue or plain Gray. 

Shirt has combination 

supporter. Arm holes 

extra large and shirt 

faistens to trunks at side 

with invisible catches, 

Trunksof No. 3RSuit making a tight fitting, 

neat combination. White canvas belt, with 

adjustable buckle, forms part of trunks, no 

drawing tape to knot or break. Pocket for 

change, etc., inside of trunks. Furnished in 

No 'sR Suit regular length and extra long. Suit, $5.00 

Spalding One-Piece Bathing Suits 

No. 743. Men's s'lzes, 32 to 44 inch chest ; fancy stripes ; 

button in front Suit, 75c -^ SS./O Doz. 

No. 52 IB. Boys' sizes, 24 to 32 inch chest; fancy stripes; 
button in front Suit, 50c. * S'^M Dos. 





No. 50, 




i, cotton. Solid Navy Blue. Button at 
houlders. . . Suit, 75c. -^ SS.-^C Dos. 





Official Association Water Polo Cap 

No. WPC. Used to distinguish swimmers in 
match races, the caps being made in a variety 
of colors. Also add interest to water polo 
games by enabling spectators 
to pick out easily the players 
on the opposing teams. $1.00 
No. WPC Waterproof Canvas Bag 

No. 1. Made of canvas, lined with rubber, 
and thoroughly waterproof. Each, $1.00 

^^■^^^ Spalding Water Polo Balls 

^^H|PP|H|^^k No. LC. Special leather cover water polo 
^^HpV' ';^^^k ball. This style is used in games under 

^^■■i^^&.^^A official rules Each, $6.00 

^^^^g^^^l No. 1. White rubber fabric. Inflated, 
^^^^^^■■^^V with key. Regulation size. Each, $2.00 
^^^^^^^^m Official Water Polo Goal Nets 
^H^^^^^^^^ Made in accordance with official 

^^■^ rules Pair, $10.00 

No. LC 



Expert Racing' and Swimming Suit» 
No. 2S. Men's. Good quality silk one- 
piece suit. Navy Blue or Black. But- 
tons over shoulders. 

Suit, $3.50 * S37.S0 Do 
No. 2SL. Women's. Otherwise same 
as No. 2S. Suit, $3.50 * S37.S0 Do 
No. 4R. Fine quality worsted. Made 
in plain Navy Blue or plain Black 
Buttons over shoulders. 

Suit, $3.00 * SJ2.-/0 Da 
No. 2R. Mercerized cotton. Plain Black 
or plain Navy Blue. Silky finish, and 
sheds water readily. Buttons ovi r 
shoulders. Suit, $2.00 * SJ/.6(' Do 
No. IR. Men's. Cotton. Plain Black or 
plain Navy Blue. Light in v,-eight, snuv 
fitting. Buttons over shoulders. 

Suit, $1.00 • SJO.SO Dos. No. 2S 

No. IRL. Women's. Otherwise same as No. IR. 

Suit, $1.00 i( S/C.SO Doz. 
Spalding 
Worsted Bathing Trunks 
No. 1. Worsted, full fashioned, 
best quality, in Navy, Black, and 
Maroon. Pair, $2.00 i^ S21.U) Doz. 
No. 2. Cut worsted, in Navy, and 
Black. Pair, $ 1 .00 * Sli'.SO Doz. 

Cotton Bathing Trunks 
No. 601. Navy Blue; Red or White 
stripes. . Va:\T,^Qc.ii( SS.-IO Doz. 
No. 602. Solid Navy Blue. . . " 35c. -^ 3.18 " 

No. 603. Fancy stripes " 25c. -^ 2.7i^ " 

Flannel Bathing Knee Pants 
No. F. Good quality Gray or Navy flannel knee pants ; fly 
front; belt loops. Loose fitting and just the thing for those 

who dislike bathing tights Pair, $2.00 

Canvas Bathing Belt 
No. C. Madeof white canvas, with metal buckle. Each, 50c. 
Spalding Bathing Slippers 
No. 13. White canvas. With soles 
to give protection to the feet. Any 

size Pair, 50c 

No. C Ayvad's Water Wings 

No. 1. Plain white Each. 25c. 

No. 2. Variegated colors " 35c 

Water Polo Guide Th^ prices printed in italics opposite itcim 

No. 129. Directions for 
playing; official rules. 10c, 




rked with -k will be quoted only on orders 
for nne-half dozen or more. Quantity prices 
NOT allowed on items NOT marked with it 



PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO 
.ANY COMMUNICATIONS 
AODBESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN AIL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEP. 

OF THIS BOO! ^ 



Pricei in effect January 5, 1914. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices lee special Canadian Catalogue. 



SrETHESPALDINGiJ TRADE 



■MARKT^rf 




Nq. B6 



The "Mike Murphy" Athletic Supporter 

Patent Applifd For. 
^o. M. Invented by the famous athletic trainer, Michael 
C. Murphy, of the University of Pennsylvania. Elastic 
waistband and mesh front, with elastic sides. The latest 
and best thing in an athletic support. Furnished in three 
sizes: Small, to fit waist 22 to 28 inches; Medium, 30 to 
38 inches; Large, 40 to 48 inches Each, 75c. 



Spalding Supporters 



>Jo. 2. 



Best Canton flannel, elastic pieces on side. 

Each, 50c. * $5.'W Doz. 
*Jo. 3. Like No. 2, but open mesh lower portion 

Each, 50c. -k S5.40 Doz. 
Mo. 1. Best Canton flannel. . " 25c. -^ 2.70 " 
Mo. X. Similar to No. I. . . " 20c. -^ P. 16 " 
Mo. A. Swimming Supporter. For water polo, bathing 
and swimming. Buttons at side Each. 50c. 



The "Spalding" Style Suspensories 

Mo. 70. Non-elastic bands, knitted sack. . Each, $ .25 

Mo. 71. Elastic buttock bands, knitted sack. " .35 

Mo, 72. Elastic bands, knitted sack. ... " .50 

Mo; 73^, Elastic bands, silk sack " .75 

Mo. 76. Silk bands, finest silk sack. ... " 1.25 

"Old Point Comfort" Style Suspensory 

No. 2. Lisle thread sack Each, $ .75 

No. 3. Fine silk sack, satin trimmings. . . " 1.00 
No. 4. Silk bands, satin trimmings, finest silk sack," 1.25 

Tht prices printed in italics opposite items marked with * 
Q\*9nlity prices NOT (illowed 



Spalding All Elastic Supporter (Black) 

No. DX. Made of good quality black covered elastic. Waist- 
band six inches wide. Small, medium and large. Ea., $1.25 

Bike Jockey Strap Suspensory 

No. 5. For alhleles, base ball, fool ball, teniiis players, 
etc. All elastic; no buckles Three sizes: Small, to fit 
waist 22 (o 28 inches. Medium, 30 to 38 inches, Large, 
40 to 48 inches. . . . Each. 75c. i^ S6.Cc> Doz. 

Elastic Supporter (Bike Style) 

No. O. Similiar to No. 5. but with mesh non-elastic front 

Each, 50c. 

Special Combination Suspensory (All Elastic) 

No. B6. Made of same material as in the regular Bike 
Suspensory, but with waistband eight inches wide, pro. 
viding additional support needed during rigid training and 
athletic contests. Sizes: Small, 22 to 28 inches; Medium, 
30 to 38 inches; Large, 40 to 48 mches. Each, $1.50 

Spalding Leather Abdomen Protector 

No. S. Heavy sole leather, well padded with quilted lining 
and non-elastic bands, with buckles at side and elastic 
at back. For boxing, hockey, foot ball, etc. No other 
supporter necessary with this style. , , Each, $3.00 

Spalding Aluminum Abdomen Protector 

No. 3. Aluminum edges, well padded with rubber. Etas- 
tic cross bands and belt Each, $3.50 

Spalding Wire Abdomen Protector 

No. 4. Heavy wire, well padded with wool skin and 
chamois. Leather belt, straps for f^tening. Used with any 
of our regular supporters oL^uspensories. Elach, $2.00 

will be quoted only on orders for one-half dozen or mart, 
on items NOT marked with it 



PROMPT AHENTIONeiVEN TO] 
-^ANY COMMUNICATIONS^ 
^ ADDHtSSEOTOUS ^' 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE UST Of $TOSS 
'SEE INSIDE FRONT G8VEB I 
*> OF THIS BOO! , 



rricu ia affAcl JMMMry (. 1914. Sul^vct to ciMuuifi without iMtic*. F«r CmwUwi pri««* m« wc uJ C»n»Hmii 9ktiao««*i' 




tmmii\Mm\M 




iing i-^miai^ipio UNSHIP naHiiBers 

WITH BALL BEARING SWIVEL-Patented M«y IS. 1900 
Used by the World's Record Holder, Matt McGrath. The Spalding Championship Hammer has been used 
exclusively by all the leading hammer throwers, including the record holders, for years past. The benefit* 
of the baM bearing construction will be quickly appreciated by all hammer throwers. Special quality steel 
wire handle, with double triangle handpieces. Guaranteed absolutely correct in weight. Lead ball. 
No.l2F. 12-lb., without sole leathercase. Ea..$4.50 N0.I6F. 1 6-lb., without sole leather case. Ea.,$5.00 
No. L. Leather case, to hold either 12 or 16 lb. hammer. Each, $2,00 
EXTRA WIRE HANDLES 
No. MG. For championship hammers. Same as used by Matt McGrath Each, $2.00 

Spalding Regulation Hammer, with Wire Handle iRON-Cuaranteed Correct in Weight 

No. 12rH. 1 2.tb., iron, practice. . Each, $3.50 N®, 161H. 16-lb., iron, regulation. Each. $3.75 

EXTRA WIRE HANDLES-For Regulation Hammers 
No. FH. Improved design, large grip, heavy wire. Each. 75c. 

Spalding Rubber Covered Indoor Shot Patented December 19, 1905 

Made on- scientific principles; perfectly round, gives a fine grip, and has the proper 
resiliency v#hen it comes in contact with floor , will wear longer than the ordinary 
leather covered; no possibility that t4ie lead dust will sifl out; always full weight. 
No. P. I6.1b. Each. $12.00 I No. Q. 12.1b. Each, $10.00 ' 




Spalding Indoor Shot 

With improved leather coyer Ourspecial 
method of construction prevents loss of 
weight, even when used constantly. 
No. 3. 12.1b. . . Each, $6.50 

No. 4. I6.lb " 7.50 



Regulation Shot— Lead and Iron 

Guaranteed Correct m Weight 
No. 16LS.1 6-lb, lead $3.50 No 12IS. 12-lb. iron $1.50 
No. 12LS. 12-lb. lead. 3.00 No 24LS. 24.1b . lead 6 00 
No. 16IS. 16.1b.. iron 1.75 No 2415. 24.1b . iron. 5.00 






Spalding 

Regulation 

56-lb. Weight 

Used and endorsed by 
all weight throwers. 
Packed in box and guar- 
anteed correct in weight 
and in exact accordsmce 
with rules of A. A U. 

No 2 Lead56.1b weight. 
Complete . $12.00 




Hammer Throw Cage 

To protect judges and spectators from any accident thai might be liable to occur in the throwing of the hammer. One. third 
of circumference of cage is left open in direction in which hammer is thrown. Cage is made of ^.inch crimped wire. 
in sections .8 feet long by 7 feet high, supported by heavy iron posts set four feet into the ground in concrete bases. 
Complete (shipping weight 1000 lbs.), packed for shipment fob. Boston . . .... Each, $200.00 

Sptalding Juvenile Athletic Shot and Hammers 

Made according to official regulations. Weights guaranteed accurate; records made with these implements will be recognized. 
JUVENILE HAMMER— No. 8IH. S-lb.. Iron Juvenile Hammer. Each. $2.50 

JUVENILE SHOT 

No. 26. 8-lb.. Leather Covered Shot, for indoor, schoolyard and playground use .... Elach. $5.00 

No. 5. 5.1b.. Leather Covered Shot, for indoor, schoolyard and playground use. " 4.00 

N9.8IS. 6.1b., Solid Iron Shot, not covered. Each, $1.25 | No. SIS. S-lb., Solid Iron Shot, not covered. " l.QO 



I PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO 
m COMMUNICATIONS 
AOOBESSEDTOnS ^j 



A.G.SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR CDNPIETE LIST OF STORES 

EE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOK 



jPhG«t in eff««t JiutuiMT & 1914, i Subject to chance without Botice. For C a nB<<iwn pncei vee spe^al CaoadiM CfttalocM^ 



j s'SSTVTHE$PALDING((ii)TRADE-MARK 



GUARANTEES 
QUALITY 



SpsiMimg Va^Misng Poles 



SPLCIAL NOTE — It is our endeavor always to supply 
Athletic Equipment of the very highest quality, and 
which is at the same time made of the most satisfac- 
tory material and in the best possible manner for the 
purpose intended. 

We have discontinued making Spruce Vaulting Poles 
because we find ourselves unable to recommend their 
use owing to danger of breakage and possibility of 
serious injury to user. Bamboo poles we do recom- 
mend, having proven to our satisfaction that they are 
superior for vaulting to poles made of any wood we 
know of, and, furthermore, if they do break while in 
use. the danger of personal injury is very remote. 

Spalding Bamboo Vaulting Poles 

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR STYLES 
Owing to differences in climatic conditions it is impossible to keep 
Bamboo Vaulting Poles from cracking. These cracks or season 
checks do not appreciably detract from the merits of the poles, ex- 
cept where they are continuous. Much of the real strength of the 
pole is in the joints. All of our tests would seem to prove that poles 
with season checks may be accepted as safe and durable, except 
where the season check is wide open and extends through several 
sections on one side. Very frequently such splits or season checks 
can be entirely closed by placing the pole in a damp place for a 
day or so. 



INDOOR BAMBOO VAULTING POLES 

Tape wound at short intervals. Thoroughly tested before 
leaving our Factory. Fitted with special spike. 

No. lOBV. lOft. Ea..$4.00 I No. 14BV. I4ft. Ea.,$6.00 
No. 12BV. 12 ft. •• 5.00 No. 16BV. 16ft. " 6.00 



OUTDOOR BAMBOO VAULTING POLES 

Tape wound at short intervals. Thoroughly tested before 

leaving factory. Rounded end wound with copper wire 

and soldered. 

No. lOOBV. 10 ft. Ea., $4.00 I No. 104BV. 14 ft. Ea.. $6.00 
No. 102BV. 12 ft. Ea.. 5.00 No. 106BV. 16 ft. Ea.. 6.00 




Indoor Pole Vaulting Board 

No. 117. Made up of 
sectional blocks of 
wood placed on end 
so that the spike of 
the vaulting pole 
will not spill them. 
Bound in by heavy 
wood frame. 

Complete, $16.00 

Spalding 
Vaulting 
Standards 

Substantially built 
and measurements 
are clearly and cor. 
rectly marked. 
No. 109. Graduated 
in half inches, adjust- 
able to 13 feet. 

Complete, $15.00 
No. HI. Inch grad. 
uations, 7 feet high. 

Complete, $9.00 
No. 112. Cross Bars. 
Hickory. Do2.. $3.00 

Spalding Olympic Discus 

Since Discus Throwing was revived at the Olympic Game*. 
at Athens, 1896. the Spalding Discus has been recognized aa 
the official Discus, and is used in all competitions because 
It conforms exactly to the official rules. Exactly the same 
as used at Athens, 1906, London. 1908. and Stockholm 




1912. 



Price. $5.00 




Spalding Youths Discus 

Officially adopted by the Public Schools Athletic League 
To satisfy the demand foi a Discus that will be suitable for the 
use of the rnore youthful athletes, we have put out a special 
Discus smaller in size and lighter in weight than the regular 
Official size. The Youths' Discus is made in accordance 
with official specifications °rice, $4.00 



Spalding Official Javelins 



To be thrown— not for vaulting. 
Swedish model, correct in length, weight, etc.. and 



Vaulting Poles listed above. 

>f proper balance. Steel shod. 



Competitors' Numbers 



For large 




Strong Linen 

Manila. Un 



Set 


Set 


.25 


$1.50 


.38 


2.25 


.50 


3.00 


.75 


4.50 


1.00 


6.00 


1.25 


7.50 



No. 7. I to 300. . 

No. 8. 1 to 400. . 

No. 9. I to 500. . 

No. 10. 1 to 600. . 

No. U 1 to 700. . 

No. 12. 1 to 800, . 

No. 13. 1 to 900. . 

No. 14. 1 to 1000. 

No. 15. I to 1100. . 



supply Competitors' Nui 
only, in sets as follow 
Set.$1.50 No. 16. 

• 2.00 

" 2.50 

'• 3.00 

•• 3.50 

'• 4.00 

'• 4.50 

" 5.00 

•• 5.50 



Each, $5.00 
mbers, on Manila paper 



No. 17. 
No. 18. 
No. 19. 
No. 20. 
No. 21. 
No. 22. 
No. 23. 
No. 24. 



I to 1200. 
I to 1300. 
I to 1400. 
I to 1500. 
I to 1600. 
1 to 1 700. 
1 to 1800. 
I to 1900. 
I to 2000. 



Set. $6.00 
•• 6.50 
" 7.00 
" 7.50 
" 8.00 
*• 8.50 
" 9.00 
" 9.50 
• 10.00 



PROMPT AnENTION GIVEN Te 

.ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDBESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEll. 
OFTHISBOOI ' 



Eri«*» in cffecUanuory 5, 1914. Subject to change without notice., for Canadiuj 



: (secial Canadian C«talegiMk 



SPAILBHHG 
OLYMPnC 

chamfhohsh: 

SMOES 



All of these shoes are hand made. 
Finest kangaroo leather uppers and best 
white oak leather soles. They are the 
same style shoes that we supplied to the 
American athletes who were so success- 
ful at the last Olympic Games, and they 
are worn in competition by all promi> 
nent athletes in this country. 



Spalding 

"Monitor" Sprint 

Running Shoes 

Patent applied for. 

No. 3-0. Lightest run- 
ning shoe made. Hand 
made spikes. Especial- 
ly for 100 and 220 
yards races. Strictly 
bench made through- 
out. . . Pair, $6.00 



Spalding "Olympic 
Championship" 
Short Distance 
Running Shoes 

No.2-0. Extremely light 
and glove fitting. Hand 
made steel spikes firm- 
ly riveted on. Worn by 
all champions for short 
distances, especially 
440 and 880 yards and 
1 mile races. Pr., $6.00 

The uppers and soles of all Running and Jumping Shoes should be kept soft and 
pliable by using SPALDING "DRI-FOOT" PREPARATION. It prevents deteriora- 
tion of the leather due to perspiration. Can, 15 cents. 





PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 
I ANY COMMUNICATIONS 
A ADDRESSED TO us 



A.G.SPALDING &. BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST Of STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER . 

OF THIS BOOK ^ 



Prioea ia effect January 5, 1914. Subject to change without notice. For C a nad ia n prices tee •pectal Canadian Catalogue. 




)htlJitfAMrl!IMi^] 



SFAILDHM' 



[AMFEOMSH] 
SHOES 



All of these shoes are hand made. 
Finest kangaroo leather uppers and best 
white oak leather soles. They are the 
same style shoes that we supplied to the 
American athletes who were so success- 
ful at the last Olympic Games, and they 
are worn in competition by ail promi- 
nent athletes in this country. 

Spalding "Olympic 
Championship' ' 
Long Distance 
Running Shoes 

No. 14C. For long 
distance races on ath- 
lethic tracks. Low, 
broad heels, flexible 
shanks. Hand made 
steel spikes in soles. 
No spikes in heels. 
Pair, $5.00 



Spalding "Olympic 
Championship'' 
Jumping Shoes 

No. 14H. Specially 
stiffened soles. Hand 
made steel spikes 
placed as suggested 
by champion jumpers. 
Also correct shoes for 
shot putting, weight 
and hammer throw- 
ing. . . Pair, $6.00 

The upper's- and soles of all Running and Jumping Shoes should be kept soft and 
pliable by using SPALDING "DRI-FOOT" PREPARATION. It prevents deteriora- 
tion of the leather due to perspiration. Can, 15 cents. 





PROMPT AnENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSEO TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS BOOl 



Price* in effect January 5, 1914. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices tee (pecial Ca n adia n Catalogue. 



^SbSeTHE SPALDING(ti)JTRADE-MARKT»T;/v^^ 




Burand-Steel] 
Lockers^ 

Wooden lockers are objectionatol^i 

because they attract vermin, absorb odors,! 
can be easily broken into, and are dangerous 
on account of fire. 

Lockers made from wire mesh 6t\ 
expanded metal afford little secur* 
Ity, as they can be easily entered with wire cut* 
ters. Clothes placed in them become coverecJ 
with dust, and the lockers themselves present 
t poor appearance, resembling animal cage* 
Dorand-Steel Lockers are made of finest 
grade furniture steel and are finished with 
gloss black, furnace-baked japan (400°), comparable 
M that used on hospital ware, which will never flake 
off nor require rebanishing, as do paints and enamels. 




8omd 
Public 




6i thb d.OOO Ourand.StOel LeoiterO Installed In Af 
Gymnasiums of Chicago. t2*x IS'a 42*, DoubV* TIsr. 

Durand- Steel Lockers are usually buiu with 
doors perforated full length in panel design with sides 
and backs solid. This prevents clothes in one locker 
from coming in contact with wet garments 
in adjoining lockers, while plenty of venti 
lation is secured by having the door perf( 
rated its entire length, but, if the purchaser 
prefers, we perforate the backs also. , ^ 

The cost of Dnrand-Steel Lockers 
is no more than that of first-class 
wooden lockers, and they last as long 
as the building, are sanitary, secure, an**-^ 
in addition, are fire-proof. j. ^ 

The following Standard Sizes as0 
those most commonly used: 



DOUBLE TIER 
I2x 12 xse Inch 
IS X 19 xSe Inch 
I2x 12x42 Inch 
13 X 19x42 Inch 



SINGLE TIER 
I2x l2xeO Inch 
I9x IBx60 inch 
12 X 12x72 Inch 
IBx 15x72 Inch 



Specl\l Sizes made to order, 
We are handling lockers as a special con- 
tract business, and shipment will in every 
case be made direct from the factory in 
Chicago. If you will let us know the num- 
ber of lockers, size and arrangement, w« 
Bhall be glad to take up, through aorrs* 
•pondeiKuSr tb« ijaAttflP ®f i^simk 



PROMPT ATTENTION 6IVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS. 
i ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS BflOl 



I ID effect January 5. 1914. 



Subject to change without notice. For Canadian price* tee tpecial Canadian Catalogue. 



:^i^^^ 



M^ I KMUt IV1MK^ nufli iTY 



Spalding 
New Athletic Goods Catalogue 

The following selection of items from Spalding's latest Catalogue will give 
an idea of the great variety of ATHLETIC GOODS manufactured by 
A. G. SPALDING & BROS. /.• .v SEND FOR A FREE COPY. 



SEE LIST OF SPALDING STORE ADDRESSES ON INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THIS BOOK 



Athleric Library 
Attachm'ts, Chest Wcighj 



Caddy Badge* 
Caps — 

Base Ball 

University 

Water Polo 
Center Forks. Iron 
£«"'«' Straps. CanY« 
Chest Weights- 
Circle, Seven-Foot 
Clock Golf 
Corks, Running 
Covers, Racket 
Cricket Goods 
Croquet Goods 
Pross Bars . 



Bags- 
Bat 

Bathing Suil 
Caddy 
Cricket 
Striking 
Tennis 
Uniform 



Basket 

Cricket 

Field Hockey 

Golf 

Hand 

Indoor 

Medicine 

Playground 

Squash 

Tennis 

Volley 

Water Polo 

Ball Cleaner, Golf 

Bandages, Elastic 

Bar Bells 

Bars, Horizontal 

Bases- 
Base Ball 
Indoor 

Bathing Suits 

Bats- 
Base Ball 
Cricket 
Indoor 

Batting Cage, Base Ball 

Belts- 
Leather and Wonted 

Bladders- 
Basket Ball 
Striking Bag 

Blades. Fencing 



Discs- 
Marking, Golf 
Discus, Olympic 
Discs, Striking Bag 
Dumb Bells 



Emblems 
Embroidery 
Equestrian Polo 



Felt Letters 

Fencing Sticks 

Field Hockey 

Finger Protection 

Flags- 
College 
Marking Golf 

Foils, Fencing 

Glasses, Base Ball Sun 

Gloves- 
Base Ball 
Boxing 
Cricket 
Fencing 
Golf 
Hand Ball 

Glove Softener 

Goals- 
Basket Ball 

Golf Clubs 

Golf Counters 

Golfette 

Grips- 
Athletic 
Golf 

Gut Preservative, Tennis; 

Guy Ropes and Pegs 

Gym"m Suits. Women's 



Hammers, Athletic. 
Handle Cover, Rubber 
Hangers for Indian Clubs 
Hats. University 
Health Pull 
Hob Nails 
Hole Cutter, Golf 
Hole Rim. Golf 
Hurdles, Safety 
Hurley Goods 



Indian Clubs 
Inflaters — 
Striking Bag 



Knee Protectors 

Lacrosse 

Lanes for Sprints 

Lavtrn Bowls 

Leg Guards- 
Base Ball 
Cricket 

, Field Hockey 

Leotards 

^Letters— 

Embroidered 

Felt 

Liniment 



Lav»rn Tennis 

Protectors- 
Abdomen 
Base Ball Body 
Indoor Base Ball 
Thumb 

Pulleys and Axle, Tennis 

Push Ball 

Pushers, Chamois 

Puttees, Golf 



Jackets, Fencing 



Mallets- 
Cricket 
Croquet 
Equestrian Polo 
Roque 

Markers, Tennis 

Masks- 
Base Ball 
Fencing 

Mattresses 

Megaphones 

Mitts- 
Base Ball 
Hand Ball 
Striking Bag 

Monograms 

Mufflers. Knitted 

Nets- 
Cricket 
Golf Driving 

vXyBall 
Numbers, Competitors 



Pads- 
Chamois. Fencing 
Sliding. Base Ball 
Wrestling 

Paint. Golf 

Pants- 
Base Ball 
Bathing, Knee 
Boys' Knee 
Running 

Pennants. College 

Pistol, Starters' 

Plastrons. Fencing 

Plates- 
Base Ball Shoe 
Home 

Marking, Tennis 
Pitchers Box 
Pitchers Toe 
Teeing, Golf 

Platforms. Striking Bag 

Poles, Vaulting 

Polo, Equestrian 

Polo. Roller, Goods 



Racket Covers 

Racket Presses 

Rackets, Lavm Tennis 

Rackets Restrung 

Racks Golf Ball 

Rapiers 

Reels for Tennis Poets 

Referees' Whistle 

Rings- 
Exercising 
Swinging 

Roque 

Rowing Machines 



Sacks, for Sack Racing 
Sandow Dumb Bells 
Score Books- 
Base Ball 

Basket Ball 

Cricket 

Golf 

Tennis 
Score Tablets, Base Ball 
Shirts- 
Athletic 

Base Ball 
Shoes — 

Base Ball 

Basket Ball 

Bowling 
Shoes- 
Clog 

Cricket 

Cross Country 

Fencing 

Golf 

Gymnasium 

Jumping 

Outing 

Running 

Squash 

wXng 
Shot- 
Athletic 
Indoor 



Skate Rollers 

Skates, Roller 

Slippers. Bathing 

Squash Goc/ds 

Standards- 
Vaulting 
Volley Ball 

Straps- 
Base Ball 
For Three-Legged R«9 

Spikes, Cricket 

Steel Cable. Tennis Nel 

Sticks, Polo 

Stockings . 

Stop Boards 

Striking Bags 

Stumps and Bails 

Suits — 
Gymna'm, Women • 
Swimming 

Supporters— 
Ankle 

, Wrist 

Suspensories 

Sweat Band 

Sweaters 

Swivels. Striking Ba* 

Swords- 
Duelling 
Fencing 



Take-Off Board 

Tape — 
Adhesive 
Cricket, Measunnt 
Marking, Tennis 
Measuring Steel 

Tees, Golf 

Tether Tennis 

Tights- 
Athletic 
Full 
Full, Wreeding 

Toe Boards 

Trapeze 

Trousers, 'V.M.CA, 

Trunks- 
Bathing 
Velvet 
Worsted 



Umpire Indicator 
Unitorms, Base Ball 

Wands, Calisthenio 
Watches, Stop 
Water Wings 
Weights, 56-lb. 
Whistles. Referee* 
Wrestling Equipmeql 
Wrist Machines 



PIOMPT ATTENTION 6IVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS. 

ADDJtESSEDTOUS 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
.SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEB 
^ OF THIS BOOK 



.Price, in effect January 5, 1914. Subject to change withgut notice. For Canadian price, see special C.n«lian Catal^Tir' 



standard Policy 



A Standard Qyality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy, 

Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a 
Manufacturer to long maintain a Standard Qyality. 

To market his goods through the jobber, a manufacturer must provide a 
profit for the jobber as well as for the retail dealer. To meet these conditions 
of Dual Profits, the manufacturer is obliged to set a proportionately high list 
price on his goods to the consumer. 

To enable the glib salesman, when booking his orders, to figure out 
attractive profits to both the jobber and retailer, these high list prices are 
absolutely essential; but their real purpose will have been served when the 
manufacturer has secured his order from the jobber, and the jobber has secured 
his order from the retailer. 

However, these deceptive high list prices are not fair to the consumer, who 
does not, and, in reality, is not ever expected to pay these fancy list prices. 

When the season opens for the sale of such goods, with their misleading 
but alluring high list prices, the retailer begins to realize his responsibilities, and 
grapples with the situation as best he can, by offering "special discounts," 
which vary with local trade conditions. 

Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both the manufacturer 
and the jobber are assured; but as there is no stability maintained in the prices 
to the consumer, the keen competition amongst the local dealers invariably 
leads to a demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are 
practically eliminated. 

This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists 
on lower, and still lower, prices. The manufacturer, in his turn, meets this 
demaneifor the lowering of prices by the only way open to him, viz.; the cheap- 
ening and degrading of the quality of his product. 

The foregoing conditions became so intolerable that 15 years ago, in 1899, 
A. G. Spalding & Bros, determined to rectify this demoralization in the Athletic 
Goods Trade, and inaugurated what has since become known as " The Spalding 
Policy." _^ 

The " Spalding Policy " eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding 
Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer secures the supply of Spalding 
Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer by which the retail dealer is 
assured a fair, legitimate and certain profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and 
the consumer is assured a Standard Quality and is protected from imposition. 

The "Spalding Policy" is decidedly for the interest and protection of the 
users of Athletic Goods, and acts in two ways : 

First. —The user is assured of genuine Official Standard Athletic Goods. 

Second. — As manufacturers, we can proceed with confidence in 
purchasing at the proper time, the very best raw materials required 
in the manufacture of our various goods, well ahead of their 
respective seasons, and this enables us to provide the necessary 
quantity and absolutely maintain the Spalding Standard of Qyality. 

All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply 
consumers at our regular printed catalogue prices— neither more nor less-the same 
prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other stores. 

All Spalding dealers, as well as users of Spalding Athletic Goods, are treated 
exactly alike, and no special rebate's or discriminations are allowed to anyone. 

This briefly, is the "Spalding Policy." which has already been in successful 
operation for the past 1 5 years, and will be indefinitely continued. 

In other words, "The Spalding Policy" is a "square deal" for everybody. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



By (2Ai<:^f^^^-^^^^^*^' 

PRESIDENT. V—^ 



An article that is universsJly given thie appellation "Standard" is thereby 
conceded to be the criterion, to which are compared all other things of a similar 
nature. For instcince, the Gold Dollar of the United States is the Standard unit 
of currency, because it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, 
and the fact of its being Genuine is guaranteed by the Government Stamp 
thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting and 
other tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service 
Bureau of Elxperts. Under the law, citizen manufacturers must depend to a 
great extent tipon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselves against 
counterfeit products — without the aid of "Government Detectives'* or "Public 
Opinion" to assist them. 

- Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and 
" inferior quality " rests entirely upon the integrity and responsibility of the 
" Manufacturer." 

A. G. Spalding & Bros, have, by their rigorous attention to "Qyality," for 
thirty-eight years, caused their Trade-Mark to become known throughout 
the world as a Guarantee of Quality as dependable in their field as the 
U. S. Currency is in its field. 

The necessity of. upholding the Guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Meu-k and 
maintaining the Standard Qyality of their Athletic Goods, is, therefore, as obvi- 
ous as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency. 

Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other 
consumers when he assists a Reliable Manufacturer in upholding his Trade- 
Maurk and all that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic 
Goods to assist us in maintaining the SpeJding Standard of Elxcellence, by 
insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly stamped on all athletic goods which 
they buy, because without this precaution our best efforts towards maintaining 
Standard Quality.and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual. 

Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being 
high-priced, and this sentiment is fostered and emphasized by mak^s of 
" inferior goods," with whom low prices are the main consideration. 

A manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold 
and a guarcintee to protect must necessarily have higher prices than a manufac- 
turer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality 
depends principally upon the eloquence of the salesman. 

We know from experience "hat there is no quicksand more unstable than 
poverty in quality — iind we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality. 




■kJfPh<^.^&' 



^PALD 




A separate book covers every Athletic Sport 

and is Official and Standard 

Price 10 cents each 



GRAND PRIZE 




wmm. 



PARIS, 1900 



ST. LOUIS. 1904- O Jr JnL J-/ J-l 1 IN VJ PARIS 1900 

ATHLETIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD 



A.G. Spalding ® Bros. 

MAINTAIN WHOLESALE and RETAIL STORES in the FOLLOWING CITIES 
NEW YORK CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 

BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY 

PHILADELPHIA DETROIT ^ SAN FRANCISCO 

NEWARK CINCINNATI LOS ANGELES 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE 

BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY 

SYRACUSE -INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND 



ROCHESTER PITTSBU 

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON ATLAN 

LONDON. ENGLAND LOUI: 

LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND NEW O 

BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND ^O^ 

MANCHESTER. ENGLAND 

EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND 

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND SY 

Factories oivned and operated by A.CSpaldiny & Bros 

Trade -Afcrked Athletic Goods are mode are located 



PITTSBURGH MINNEAPOLIS 
ATLANTA ST. PAUL 

LOUISVILLE DENVER 
NEW ORLEANS DALLAS 
MONTREAL. CANADA 
TORONTO. CANADA 

> PARIS. FRANCE 

> SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA 



CHICAGO 



BROOKI.YN 



FRANCISCO CHICOPEE. 
PHIIJI.D1EI.PHIA IiONDON, 



